Spire Healthcare has announced that Simon Gordon has stepped down as an executive director, effective 1 March, after seven years as chief financial officer.

His successor will be announced in due course.

Spire’s chairman Garry Watts commented: “The board is grateful to Simon for his many significant contributions to Spire since joining the company in 2011, including the initial public offering in July 2014 and his taking on the role of interim chief executive in 2017. We wish him well for the future.”

Justin Ash, Spire chief executive, said: “I would like to add my personal thanks to Simon for all his support and assistance to me since I joined the company in October 2017. The initiatives he introduced as chief financial officer and latterly as interim chief executive have laid the foundation for the evolving strategy and vision for Spire that we intend to pursue. ”

Simon Gordon said: “Although from time to time challenging, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Spire and with Justin’s appointment as chief executive I feel that I can now move on to my next challenge. I am sure the company will prosper under his leadership."