Chai Patel hands over reins as chief executive of HC-One - one of UK's biggest care providers

Chai Patel, founder of HC-One, the UK’s third largest care home provider has stepped down from his position as chief executive.

Dr Patel who founded HC-One in 2011, will continue as chairman of HC-One.

Justin Hutchens has been appointed as the provider’s new chief executive. He has spent his twenty-three year career in the healthcare sector in the United States and will be joining HC-One on 1 June 2017 from HCP Inc. where he was president and previously executive vice-president and chief investment officer. HCP Inc. invests primarily in real estate serving the healthcare industry in the United States.

Similarly to Dr Patel, who started out as a junior NHS doctor, Justin Hutchens began his career on the health front line, as a care worker. Since then he has spent 15 years in healthcare operations followed by eight years in healthcare (REIT) investment.

Dr Chai Patel said: “On behalf of all colleagues at HC-One I am delighted to welcome Justin to the HC-One family. I am excited to be working with someone with such a similar value base and we have appointed in him a person who started his career as a care assistant, only to then rise to the highest levels and become an industry leader.

“I consider him a care and investment professional of global significance with outstanding leadership qualities. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role. It is obvious that he shares HC-One’s values and commitment to providing high quality kind care. I look forward to welcoming Justin and working with him to continue to build HC-One and develop our leading position in the UK care sector.”

HC-One hopes that Mr Hutchens with his experience of changes that have occurred in the US care landscape, will be able to help them address ever-changing demographics, public expectation and government responsibilities.

HC-One said he will also be responsible for building on HC-One’s 9.2 average rating on the sector’s leading care home reviews website carehome.co.uk.

Justin Hutchens expressed his delight at taking up the new role at HC-One. He said: “It is an extraordinary business at an extraordinary time for care in the UK. It is an honour to follow in the footsteps of Dr Patel who has led HC-One with tremendous expertise, professionalism and integrity while driving a culture of kindness throughout the organisation. I am looking forward to contributing to a bright future for HC-One.”

Mike McKee, executive chairman of HCP, voiced "disappointment" on losing such a "talented and experienced executive" and said: “On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire company, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Justin for his significant contributions to HCP and to congratulate him on this exciting career opportunity."

He added: “We are fortunate that Justin has helped build a strong operational infrastructure within HCP, backed by a deep pool of talent, that positions us well for future growth. We look forward to continuing to work with Justin, both through the transition and in his new role at our client HC-One, and we wish him every success."

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