Ms Pritchard has worked in the service for 25 years since graduating from Oxford. For the past two years she has been NHS England's chief operating officer. The board's appointment was made with input from Health Secretary Sajid Javid and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

       Hotly tipped Baroness Dido Harding, who has overseen the test and trace fiasco, was discounted early on.

       Durham-born married mother-of-three Ms Pritchard said: "I am honoured to lead the NHS, particularly as the first woman chief executive of an organisation whose staff are more than three-quarters female."

       Mr Johnson said that "Amanda's experience and expertise mean she is perfectly placed" to tackle the NHS's challenges.

       He also thanked Lord Stevens for his "dedicated service".