NHS Surrey’s chief executive Chris Butler left the role today to become interim managing director of the South East Coast Commissioning Support Unit.

He said: “This is an exciting opportunity to lead a new business-to-business unit on behalf of the NHS in the south-east.

"Delivering better business information and professional expertise will help address the tight financial future all public services face and I’m looking forward to working with chief executives and their teams on the challenge ahead.”

Mr Butler also thanked his colleagues for their support in the past three years.

Julian Lee, interim chairman of NHS Surrey, said: “Although I have worked in Surrey for a very short time, there are improvements of which Chris should be proud - his joint partnership working with Surrey County Council to ensure safe services for vulnerable children is a notable example.

"I thank him for all his hard work and wish him every success for the future.”