An NHS administrator who started out as a nurse at Trafford General is to become the chief executive of the trust to which it belongs.

Mark Cubbon is to take over at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) in the New Year after the retirement of Mike Deegan, who has held the position for more than 20 years.

Originally a nurse at Trafford General, as well as at the Royal Infirmary and Withington Hospital, Mark went on to become an administrator at a number of trusts in London and Portsmouth.

He has also held positions as a chief operating officer at NHS Improvement and, until now, the chief delivery officer at NHS England.

On his return to the area, Mark said: "I’m delighted to be joining MFT. The partnership approach in Greater Manchester over the last 20 years has driven the successful development of general and specialist services for patients, as well as securing the largest ever investment in the region’s research services.

"It is a huge privilege to be appointed as chief executive, working alongside some of the greatest talent in the NHS.

"Everyone I’ve met so far at MFT has demonstrated a real passion for doing the right thing for patients.

"I’m looking forward to working with colleagues across the trust and from our partner organisations, and being part of a health and social care system which puts patients and local communities first."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. Jack is the reporter for The Messenger and covers anything and everything from within the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford.

To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.