Healthcare business Voyage Care has appointed Dr Natalie-Jane Macdonald as chair, replacing Gavin Simonds.

Macdonald has 30 years’ experience in health and social care. She is the chair of Nuffield Health and Edison Young People and a non-executive director at Riverstone Living. She was previously a non-executive director at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, the Private Health Information Network and a council member of Which? She was a physician in the NHS, head of medical ethics at the BMA, managing director of Bupa’s UK insurance and wellbeing division, chief executive of children’s services business, Acorn Care and Education and chief executive of Sunrise Senior Living.

Macdonald said: “I am delighted to be joining Voyage Care where the percentage of good and outstanding services is sector-leading. The focus of the board and the wider Voyage team on care leadership, in which the care of the people we support is the single most important driving factor of the business, is one that I fully support. I look forward to working with the Voyage team to expand our services and reach, enhance productivity and ease of doing business with us, to the benefit of the people we support, our customers, all our employees and our investors.”

Andrew Cannon, chief executive of Voyage Care commented: “[Macdonald] brings with her a strong skillset ideally suited to supporting the business in the next phase of its growth, and she also shares our passion for ensuring care levels remain industry-leading.”

Based in Lichfield, Staffordshire, Voyage Care provides support for people with learning and physical disabilities, brain injuries, autism and other needs across the UK. It has been owned by Wren House Infrastructure since January.