There will be a new boss in charge at the North East's mental health and disability NHS trust from February.
Long-serving NHS figure John Lawlor is stepping down as chief executive of the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Trust at the end of this month - and he will be replaced by current deputy chief executive and director of finance James Duncan.
Mr Duncan will take up the role on February 1.
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CNTW is one of the largest mental health and disability trusts in England.
Mr Lawlor has been at the helm since 2014 and under his leadership the Trust was rated "Outstanding" by the CQC twice - in 2016 and 2018.
New boss Mr Duncan said: "I am honoured to have been appointed as Chief Executive of this brilliant organisation, and I look forward to working with all of its fantastic staff, service users, carers and partners in my new role over the coming months and years.
"I have worked at CNTW and its predecessors for 21 years. Over that time, we have always had a collective commitment to work with and alongside the people we serve, to promote and deliver the best opportunities for hope, recovery, and optimism for the future."
The Gateshead-based exec had been in the deputy chief executive role since 2006, and as he steps up to the top job said he was committed to continue the Trust's work. He said: "I promise to continue this work, and to advocate every day for people with addictions, gender diversity needs, learning disabilities, mental health needs, neurological disabilities, and neurodiversity.
"I also promise to challenge inequalities, disadvantage, and exclusion in every form, at every opportunity.
"This is a great time for us to reflect on what we have learnt from the last two difficult years, and to think about how we can recover and rebuild the support we offer to our communities and our partner organisations. I can’t think of a better place to do that, or better people to do it with, than at CNTW."
Ken Jarrold CBE, who chairs the board of directors and governing body at CNTW, said he was "delighted" to announce the appointment, adding: "James will be a familiar face to many staff, as has held the post of deputy chief executive and executive director of finance for CNTW for many years. I’m sure they will join me in congratulating James and wishing him every success in his new post."
