The man who will lead the new merged Shropshire and Telford Clinical Commissioning Group has been named.

David Evans, who is currently accountable officer for Telford CCG, will take up the same role ahead of the two groups merging next April.

Health bosses say his role will be to oversee Shropshire CCG and Telford & Wrekin CCG and then lead the single organisation.

He told a meeting of the Shropshire and Telford Joint Health Overview Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday that a decision on who would be accountable officer “was close” – and just 24 hours later he has been revealed as that person.

CCG bosses say Mr Evans brings with him more than 30 years’ experience in the NHS working in clinical and managerial roles. Originally David trained as a nurse before moving into management where he has held a number of roles including Programme Director at Worcester Royal Hospital Trust for the Kidderminster Treatment Centre.

Since the inception of Telford CCG in 2013, David has been its accountable officer during which time he also served as joint AO for both the county’s CCGs to support Shropshire CCG for a six month transition period.

He said: “The move from two CCGs across the county to a single commissioning organisation are part of changes we are seeing in the NHS to streamline its work and reduce duplication.

“I am looking forward to leading on the creation of a new organisation that will benefit the health and wellbeing of the population of Shropshire and working more collaboratively with our partners in health and social care.

“Already I know many of the staff across the two organisations and I am excited to be working with our dedicated and experienced teams to help develop the new organisation.”

Both chairs of the respective CCGs welcomed David’s appointment to the newly-created role.

David Stout has held the role in Shropshire.

Dr Julian Povey, chairman of Shropshire CCG, said: “David already has extensive links across both CCGs as well as the wider health and social care economy and his successful appointment will help to consolidate the move to a single strategic commissioning organisation across the county.”

Dr Jo Leahy, chairman of Telford & Wrekin CCG, added: “David has been at the CCG for six years since its creation so he has extensive experience growing and nurturing an organisation right from the development stage.

“Combined with his front line experience as a nurse, this will help to give us continuity as we make the transition to a new organisation.”

Mr Stout will continue working in the local health economy supporting David Evans, the CCG said.