London-listed Spire Healthcare has announced confirmed its new chief executive and appointed a new chief operating officer.

Current chief operating officer and acting chief executive Andrew White (pictured) has been confirmed as the new permanent chief executive for the private hospital group.

In a statement to the London Stock Exchange, Spire said that White is “undergoing a period of sustained medical treatment” but that once he has recovered he will take on the chief executive post.  While “he will need some periods out of the business over the next several months” he will still be involved in company activities and continue as executive director at Spire, said the company.

Meanwhile, Catherine Mason has been appointed chief operating officer with effect from 12 December 2016. Mason joins from domiciliary care firm Allied Healthcare, where she was chief executive. Her previous posts include managing director at NATS and chief executive of Translink in Northern Ireland.

Garry Watts, executive chairman of Spire, said: "The board has been extremely impressed with Andrew's vision and drive since he joined the group a year ago, and we are therefore pleased to confirm our intention to appoint Andrew as Spire's new chief executive officer once he has made his recovery. In the meantime we welcome Catherine to Spire and believe that her extensive operational experience will make her an important addition to the leadership team.  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."