Spire appoints Debbie White as next chair

Spire Healthcare has appointed Debbie White as chair-designate, succeeding Sir Ian Cheshire, who will step down as chair later this year. 

White, who joined the board as an independent non-executive director in February 2023 and became senior independent director three months later, will assume the role of chair when Cheshire leaves the board no later than 30 September.

Cheshire joined Spire as chair-designate in March 2021 before becoming non-executive chair in May that year. He is stepping down following his recent appointments as chair of Ofcom and chair of Anglian Water.

Natalie Ceeney, who led the recruitment process, said the board had unanimously selected White for the role, citing her sector expertise, judgement and understanding of the business and its stakeholders.

Cheshire said it had been ‘a privilege’ to serve as chair over the past five years and said the company had the foundations in place to continue its growth under White’s leadership.

Following White’s appointment as chair-designate, Ceeney will become senior independent director.

The news follows Spire’s announcement that the deadline for Toscafund ​Asset Management to make ‌a formal takeover offer for the Group had been extended for a third time to 6 ‌August.