Sam Wadham-Sharpe appointed as substantive Chief Operating Officer

Published: 16 June 2026

We are pleased to announce that Sam Wadham-Sharpe has been appointed as our substantive Chief Operating Officer, following a robust interview process.

Sam has been working as Interim Chief Operating Officer since May 2026, having previously held the role of Deputy Chief Operating Officer. He has led operational services across our organisation during a period of sustained demand and pressure, working closely with teams to support patient flow, access and the overall experience of care.

His appointment brings stability and continuity to a key leadership role within the organisation as it continues to focus on improving operational performance and responding to the challenges facing health and care services.

Sam has a strong track record in operational leadership, with extensive experience of working across health and care systems. He is known for his collaborative leadership style, working alongside clinical and operational teams to understand challenges and support improvements in how services are delivered.

Welcoming the appointment, Chief Executive Joe Teape said: “I’m delighted that Sam has been appointed substantively as our Chief Operating Officer. He has shown real leadership during his time in the interim role, supporting our teams through what has been a very challenging period.

Sam brings a strong focus on working alongside colleagues to improve how we deliver care, and his appointment provides important stability and continuity as we continue our work to improve patient flow and access across our services.”

Speaking about his appointment, Sam Wadham Sharpe said: “I’m really pleased to have been appointed to this role on a substantive basis. It’s a privilege to work with such committed and compassionate colleagues across Torbay and South Devon. I’m looking forward to continuing our work together to support our services, respond to the pressures we face and improve the experience of care for our patients and communities.”