As part of the merger of Priory Group and Partnerships in Care, Tom Riall has stepped down as chief executive of Priory Group with immediate effect.

He has been replaced by Trevor Torrington (pictured), who has been head of the Priory’s healthcare division for the last seven years.

Ron Fincher, chief operating officer at Acadia Healthcare, said: “Trevor Torrington has a deep understanding of the Priory Group and an excellent track record as chief executive of Priory Healthcare for the last seven years. I am confident that he is perfectly placed to continue building on Priory’s success in the future as the company enters a new phase with Partnerships in Care.

"Acadia would also like to thank Tom Riall for his efforts during his tenure as chief executive and wish him well in the next stage of his career. Tom joined the Priory Group in April 2013 and with his drive and determination, has helped to transform Priory into the leading provider of behavioural care in the UK. Priory is now operating at record levels of compliance, delivering safer, higher-quality and more effective services than ever before.”