Prof Jacobs worked for the trust at all grades, from house officer and research fellow to consultant and professor, between 1984 and 2004.

He is currently a board member of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the chair of City St George's, University of London.

Ian moved to University College London in 2004 to run a new Institute for Women's Health, later becoming dean of biomedical sciences. In 2011 he was appointed vice-president and dean of health sciences at the University of Manchester, where he also led the academic health science centre.

From 2015-2022 Ian relocated to Australia to serve as president and vice chancellor of the University of New South Wales in Sydney. He led initiatives in research, education and diversity which took it to 19th place in the global university rankings.

He will also take on the role of chair of the acute provider collaborative with the trust's partners at Homerton Healthcare, Barking, Havering, and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, and the North East London (NEL) ICB.

Dame Marie Gabriel, chair of the NEL ICB, said: ‘I look forward to working with Ian, as incoming chair of the largest of the three, to further our joint efforts to reduce inequalities in health outcomes, access, and experience for patients across our eight hospitals.'

Professor Jacobs added: ‘I am excited to be returning to my roots in East London where my approach to healthcare, academia and leadership was shaped. I am as committed and energised to working for the health of our patients and population as I was when I walked up the steps of the London Hospital 40 years ago.'

Prof Jacobs will take up his appointment on the Barts Health board on 1 March.