Spire Healthcare chair Iain Cheshire to step down

(Sharecast News) - Spire Healthcare announced on Tuesday that chair Ian Cheshire will step down by the end of September and will be succeeded by Debbie White, ahead of a potential takeover by Toscafund. White, who joined the board of the private hospital operator as an independent non-executive director in February 2023 and became senior independent director in May 2023, will assume the position of chair-designate with immediate effect. She will become chair from the date of Cheshire's departure.

Spire said that after Cheshire steps down, he intends to be "fully available" to advise and consult for the remainder of his six-month notice period.

Cheshire has recently become chair of Ofcom and was also appointed as chair of Anglian Water on Tuesday morning.

Spire said that after a thorough process, the board was unanimous in selecting White as chair-designate.

""Debbie combines deep sector expertise, sound judgement and a strong understanding of the business and our stakeholders," the company said. "She is ideally placed to guide the board, support management and drive forward the business in the best interests of all stakeholders."

Spire is currently in talks with Toscafund Asset Management about a possible 250p-a-share takeover bid.

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