A new chief executive has been appointed at an NHS trust.
Karen Taylor has been promoted from her current role as deputy chief executive at Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust.
Ms Taylor has nearly 23 years of experience working across mental health, learning disability, community and acute services in the NHS.
The trust says she has a proven track record of working with partners and colleagues to "deliver great care for service users and carers".
Ms Taylor replaces Tom Cahill, who announced in June he will be stepping down after 12 years in the role.
Speaking about her new appointment, Ms Taylor said: "I am thrilled to be taking up the role of chief executive. It is a real honour to be asked to lead an organisation that I feel so passionately about and where I am so proud to work.
"I am looking forward to working with our dedicated teams and colleagues across our health and care systems to improve outcomes for our local communities and to provide the very best care for those who need our help and support."
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust provides health and social care for over 40,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Norfolk and Essex.
The trust was rated as "outstanding" overall by the Care Quality Commission at the last inspection.
Sarah Betteley, chairman of the trust, said: "I want to congratulate Karen on her appointment as our next chief executive. Karen’s passion for providing high quality care, supporting our staff and her commitment to getting things right for our service users and the wider communities we serve was evident throughout the selection process.
"I look forward to working closely with her in her new role."
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