Spire Healthcare clarifies CEO succession plans

Spire Healthcare said it plans to promote chief operating officer Andrew White to chief executive but that he first needs to take time off to undergo medical treatment.

The FTSE 250 company has therefore appointed Catherine Mason, the former head of Allied Healthcare, to take over the COO role from 12 December.

White is currently undergoing a period of “sustained medical treatment” and will take some time off, but will remain “engaged in the company's activities” as he will continue as an executive director on the board.

Executive chairman Garry Watts, who took a more active role in June when previous CEO Rob Roger stepped down, said the company will appoint White as chief executive once he has made a recovery.

He added: “We expect a smooth transition over the coming weeks and I will continue to be actively involved in the day-to-day running of the business."

Shares in Spire Healthcare were up 0.06% to 345p at 0810 GMT.