The NHS Confederation has confirmed that Rob Webster has been appointed as the new chief executive, succeeding Mike Farrar, who stepped down at the end of September.
Sir Andrew Cash OBE has also agreed to take up the role of deputy chair.
Webster (pictured) is currently the chief executive of Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust (LCHT), which has been described as an “integration pioneer”.
He will take on the role from February 2014.
The NHS Confederation has confirmed that Rob Webster has been appointed as the new chief executive, succeeding Mike Farrar, who stepped down at the end of September.
Sir Andrew Cash OBE has also agreed to take up the role of deputy chair.
Webster (pictured) is currently the chief executive of Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust (LCHT), which has been described as an “integration pioneer”.
He will take on the role from February 2014.
Sir Andrew will join the board of the NHS Confederation while remaining as chief executive of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. He has spent more than 20 years as a chief executive within the health service, holding senior positions at national, regional and local levels.
Former NHS Confederation chief executive Mike Farrar CBE said: "I am delighted that the Confederation was able to select from a very strong range of candidates and that in choosing Rob Webster, one of the emerging talents in the new NHS and one of the most innovative and progressive CEOs, they are signalling a real commitment to a sustainable future for the service. Rob's work in Leeds and his managerial style echo the changes that are taking place among the NHS as a new order of leaders emerges to take on the next set of challenges.
"For the Confederation to have also secured the support of Sir Andrew Cash, who is one of the most successful and respected chief executives in the NHS, is also a major feat and excellent news. Andrew will add real strength to the Board of Trustees and bring insights from the sharp end of high quality service delivery."
The NHS Confederation is the membership body that brings together the full range of organisations that commission and provide NHS services.