Richard Tyler has taken on the post of chief executive at Horder Healthcare, replacing the retiring incumbent Di Thomas.

Tyler (pictured), who takes on the post in July, joins the charity from Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust where he is currently chief executive. After completing a degree at Newcastle University, Tyler worked for various local authorities before joining the NHS.

Horder Healthcare operates an orthopaedic hospital, The Horder Centre in Crowborough, outreach clinics in Eastbourne, Seaford and Tunbridge Wells and The McIndoe Centre, East Grinstead, a specialist facility for plastic surgery.

The charity is also a member of the Sussex Musculoskeletal Parntership that won a five-year, £210 million contract in 2014 to provide an integrated musculoskeletal service across central Sussex.

Thomas has been chief executive of Horder since 2001 and presided over a significant capital expenditure programme to develop The Horder Centre into a key site for orthopaedic surgery. It now conducts over 6,000 operations a year.

Dr Sue Grieve, chair of Horder, thanked Thomas for her “professionalism” and “hard work”, wishing her “the very best for a long and happy retirement”.

Grieve added: “We’re delighted to welcome Richard to Horder Healthcare. His vast experience in the healthcare business is invaluable to us as we consolidate the growth, development and extend the reach of our charity.”

The Horder Centre was founded in 1954 as a charity to provide care to those suffering with arthritis.