Chairman of Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust Richard Samuda said: “We are pleased to confirm that Richard Beeken has agreed to support Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust as Acting Chief Executive while Toby Lewis remains away from work.

“Richard’s appointment begins on 8 February 2021 and is a temporary secondment from his current post at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, providing leadership support for the Trust.

“On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Dr David Carruthers for his considerable contribution and service whilst stepping into the Chief Executive role. We are looking forward to working with Richard and welcoming him to the Trust leadership team”.

Chair of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, Danielle Oum, said: “We are delighted to be able to help another Trust in the Black Country with additional Executive leadership support on a secondment basis.

“Richard has played an integral part in the development of the Black Country and Sandwell STP working collaboratively with leaders across the patch. He has considerable experience of change management leading Walsall Healthcare through the CQC Special Measures regime. More latterly he has led the implementation of Walsall Together, directed the organisation throughout the unprecedented challenges of the COVID pandemic and more latterly the roll-out of the vaccination programme.

“He has the ability and drive to support Sandwell and West Birmingham at a time when they need it most.

“We are also delighted that Daren Fradgley, Deputy CEO for the Trust has agreed to lead Walsall Healthcare in Richard’s absence.”