The Trust is very pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Roberts as our interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Paul joins us on 20 September and will provide valuable leadership as we begin the process to appoint a substantive CEO, which we expect to take 9-12 months.

Paul brings significant experience, having spent 35 years in the NHS and 28 as a chief executive. He was formerly CEO of University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and retired earlier this year from his role as Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust.

Shan Morgan, Chair of the Royal Devon, said: “I am delighted to welcome Paul to the Royal Devon.

“He will bring his considerable expertise to the role, as we work to recover our operational and financial performance and embrace the learning from our recent CQC report, as well as deliver our Trust strategy working with our partners.”

Paul said: “I’m really pleased to be joining the Royal Devon University Healthcare Board as Chief Executive Officer on a temporary basis in September.

“I have lived in Devon for most of my adult life and therefore health services here are important to me, my family and my friends. I have been aware of the strong reputation of the Royal Devon and its predecessor organisations for many years and therefore know what a privilege it will be to join the leadership team, albeit at a time of great pressure and challenge for everyone.

“My aim will be to support the Board to ensure that colleagues feel valued and supported in their vital work and that our local communities are offered services to be proud of - both of which I know to be absolute priorities for the leadership team I am joining.”

Over the coming weeks, Paul will work through an induction programme and looks forward to meeting teams and learning more about the organisation.

Shan added: “I would like to congratulate and thank Chris Tidman for the excellent leadership he has provided in his capacity as Deputy Chief Executive Officer, and to give my thanks to all the executive directors and teams for continuing to progress with ambitious and challenging plans and programmes of work.”