Colleagues past and present gathered to celebrate Sir Andrew Morris’s 43 years in the NHS at a surprise black tie dinner.

The event at The Elvetham hotel in Fleet on Saturday 20 January was attended by 250 guests, including trust colleagues and Andrew’s friends from across the wider NHS.

The chief executive, who retires from Frimley Health next month, was given a standing ovation when he arrived.

He had believed he was attending a Vivaldi concert with his family.

Andrew personally visited guests at each table before dinner was served, followed by speeches.

Among those paying tribute were former director of nursing Mary Dunne, past and current medical directors, NHS commentator Roy Lilley and trust chairman Pradip Patel, who described Andrew as “the best of the best”.