A former improvement director at health regulator Monitor has been appointed as the interim chief executive of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (N&N).

Mark Davies will take over the reins at the N&N as the trust searches for a permanent successor to Anna Dugdale, who resigned in June.

Mr Davies has more than 30 years' experience in the NHS, including working as a chief executive in six NHS trusts over a period of nearly 20 years.

He will start his role on August 4.

Prior to joining the trust he worked with Monitor for around 18 months as an improvement director helping hospital foundation trusts exit special measures.

His previous chief executive role was at Imperial College Healthcare from 2012 to 2014, and he has also led Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust, North Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust, and Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust and St Mary's Hospital Paddington NHS Trust, both in London.

John Fry, chairman of the N&N, said: 'I am very pleased to welcome Mark to our hospitals.

'His experience embedding the ethos of clinical leadership and his understanding of the NHS at all levels will be enormously valuable in leading the team.'

Mark Davies said: 'I am delighted to be joining Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals and am very much looking forward to working with staff, governors and stakeholders.'

Ms Dugdale resigned in June, days after a report by health watchdog the Care Quality Commission told of an alleged 'culture of bullying' at the trust.

She was NNUH's chief executive for six years.

In April this year Mr Davies' former employer, Monitor, announced the N&N must come up with a plan to improve services after repeatedly missing waiting time targets.

Monitor also expressed concern about the effectiveness of the hospital's board.