Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals boss Adam Cairns resigns

Adam Cairns joined Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust two years ago

The head of the trust managing Shropshire's two main hospitals has resigned to take up a new post in Cardiff.

Adam Cairns has been chief executive of Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) since May 2010, after leaving Airedale NHS Trust.

He has been appointed chief executive of teaching hospital Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

No date has yet been set for Mr Cairns's departure.

SaTH, which manages the Royal Shrewsbury and Telford's Princess Royal hospitals, said it would soon start the recruitment process to find his successor.

Mr Cairns said he had "family reasons" for moving to Cardiff, but added that the new job "was an opportunity I could not pass up".

The Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, which manages some 14,500 staff and a budget of £1.1bn, is home to two of the biggest teaching hospitals in Wales.

Dr John Davies, chairman of SaTH, paid tribute to Mr Cairns and said he left "solid foundations".