New Heartbeat chief executive Paul Barlow, 52, will take the helm in February next year.

The married father of three from Winchester previously supported the charity through his role as managing director of Southampton Airport.

He since oversaw Glasgow and Gatwick airports before moving to Heartbeat.

He said: "I am thrilled to be taking over the reins at Heartbeat from Alan and feel privileged to have been chosen to take the charity forward.

"The team here is great, full of energy, committed and really enjoy what they do. I am also delighted that Alan will be continuing as the director of major appeals to lead these crucial fundraising activities.

"This role is quite a change in career direction for me. I hope that the skills I have learnt in my time in industry will benefit Heartbeat but at the same time there is much for me to learn.

"I also count myself as very lucky to be working for a charity, which supports a world-class medical facility."Undoubtedly, we have a major challenge in the next three years Heartbeat has grown from nothing to what it is today in the last 12 years. It is vital that we maintain that growth."