MID Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust has announced its new chief executive.
Paul Forden will bring to the role 18 years of experience with the NHS, ten of those in CEO roles in hospital trusts across the country. For the last two and a half years he has also been working as managing director of clinical services for Serco, with responsibilities for acute and community services.
Mr Forden has also been involved in developing Serco's health business in Australia, and was based there for the last six months.
He will take over from Malcolm Stamp CBE, who is leaving at the end of June to take over as chief executive at Metro North Hospital and Health Service, in Brisbane.
Mr Forden said: "I have an absolute passion about delivering safe, patient-centred care and I am looking forward to returning to the NHS, for which I have a true commitment and experience over many years. I welcome the opportunity at MEHT to build on the strong vision the Trust has to care, excel and innovate.
"I see my role as leading the organisation on their path to this vision.
"During my career in the NHS I have had the opportunity to work with MEHT, to develop certain services, including those for cancer patients, and I have seen the trust grow as a tertiary centre.
"The redevelopment of the Broomfield Hospital site, including the new wing, is a key building block to create an exceptional hospital that will deliver the care that one would desire in a modern 21st century hospital and I look forward to building on the quality of services delivered by MEHT in the future."
He will start in September. In the interim Nick Gerrard, chief finance officer at MEHT, will be acting chief executive officer.