Our CEO Paolo Pieri is leading Circle Health Group towards an exciting future that puts people first - whether that be our patients or our employees. Since becoming CEO in 2016, Paolo has been instrumental in growing the business at an unprecedented rate, spearheading developments in technology, investment, social purpose and strategic vision. He recently led the buyout of the largest private hospital operator in the UK, BMI Healthcare, including a £1.5 billion transaction that delivered the sale and leaseback of 30 hospitals.
Paolo has constantly challenged the group to achieve best-in-class when it comes to technology and digital innovation. As a result, Circle Health Group is the fastest-growing hospital operator in the UK digitally. Paolo has reimagined the company, transforming it from a minor player with minimal operations to the largest in the industry.
Most importantly, Paolo has the wellbeing of people firmly in his laser-like focus. Despite the challenges of integrating two diverse and complex hospital groups during the pandemic, Circle Health Group was recently voted one of the Top 25 Big Companies to work for in the Sunday Times' annual awards for 2020/21, based on substantial employee feedback on the group under Paolo's leadership.
Ben has spent the majority of his career working at executive level across the health sector, both public and private.
His public sector experience includes a number of Director roles within NHS, both at hospitals as well as regionally. His last NHS role was Deputy Chief Executive for a large hospital group. An accountant by background, Ben held a number of Chief Financial Officer roles within the NHS before progressing to more general leadership positions.
Ben moved into the private healthcare in 2010 when he joined Circle as Business Development Director, and subsequently after a stint as Managing Director for Medvivo Group, he returned to Circle initially as Chief Commercial Officer before moving to Chief Integration Officer to oversee the merger of Circle with BMI.
Ben is passionate about healthcare. A natural innovator with a strong focus on technology, he is a driven leader committed to deliver the best possible services to patients and their families.
After a brief period of retirement, Ben has returned to Circle as Chief Commercial Officer.
Since joining as Chief Financial Officer in 2015, Henry has been the driving force behind the refinancing and recapitalisation of the business. He managed the financial combination of BMI Healthcare and Circle Health Group in 2020, harnessing his 30+ years of experience and expertise as a chartered accountant to reshape our financial function and secure cost-effectiveness and future growth for the business.
Having previously held CFO and controller roles in UK and international businesses across multiple sectors, Henry is responsible for the business-shared service centre, procurement, and our supply chain teams and capital programme.
Consultant orthopaedic surgeon and leading shoulder specialist Paul Manning joined Circle Health Group in 2005. Paul became Clinical Chairman of Circle Nottingham in 2014 and was appointed as Medical Director, Responsible Officer, and Director of Circle Hospitals in 2016. Paul's many titles and responsibilities serve as a reflection of his commitment to reimagining what was thought possible for hospitals in the private sector.
Paul has also practiced at The Park Hospital since 2004 and held roles in the British Elbow and Shoulder Society and the British Orthopaedic Association. He plays a pivotal part in driving the best possible outcomes and experiences for our patients, collaborating closely with the operating and commercial teams to ensure the deployment of digital innovation and state-of-the-art technology across our hospitals.
Patient experience and satisfaction are the key focus and motivation behind Paul's process.
Karen joined as Chief Executive Officer of BMI Healthcare in 2017, having previously held several senior management roles at healthcare company Netcare in South Africa. She has a plethora of experience managing multisite hospital operations and large-scale capital investment projects, including the commissioning of the largest Public-Private Partnership in Africa through partnerships with the Ministries of Health and Finance, the World Bank, and the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
Karen began her illustrious career as a practicing clinician and holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree (MBChB), a Masters in General Practice (MPax Med, graduating with cum laude), an MBA (graduating with cum laude), and a project management qualification - all from the University of Pretoria.
Karen was instrumental in the financial restructuring of the Circle Health Group in 2018 prior to the acquisition by Circle and remains at the core of directing Circle's business strategy and organisational operations.
Shane is now General Counsel for Circle Health Group, leading the legal function across the Group's hospital, integrated care, rehabilitation, and international businesses. He advises the Board of Directors and our management teams on a wide range of matters, including acquisitions, financing, joint ventures, regulation, litigation, and corporate governance.
Before joining Circle in 2008, Shane served as Vice President at KPNQwest in Amsterdam and worked for major law firms in Boston and London.
Shane earned his JD from the University of Virginia and holds degrees from McGill, Yale, and the University of Cape Town.
Mark is Chief Information Officer for Circle Health Group, having joined the company in 2022. He has over 20 years’ experience of senior and executive leadership, gained in both the business and technical sides of various organisations. He has worked for companies of differing scales, both UK-centric and global, across sectors including telecoms, SaaS, marketing services, utilities and motoring services.
Mark has a significant track record of success, and the alignment of complex transformational projects with customer needs is a common thread running throughout his career. He is passionate about delivering exceptional solutions and services to our patients and colleagues.
David joined as Chief People Officer in January 2020.
He has held several senior HR roles to date, including Director of Organisational Capability and Change at the Royal College of Nursing, where he was responsible for UK-wide human resources, estates, communications, and media and information technology service functions. David is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
With substantial management and leadership experience at executive board level, David has considerable knowledge and skill in developing and delivering an innovative range of human resources and organisational development practices. He is passionate about bringing the Circle Philosophy to life through our principles and values to ensure that our people and teams put patients at the forefront of everything they do.
Adam Busby stepped into the Acting Group Clinical Director role in May 2022, accepting the role permanently in October that year. He had previously been Group Director of Clinical Performance and Practice since May 2021. Adam has overall responsibility for clinical governance, regulatory compliance, clinical practice, clinical performance/quality and patient safety across the Group as well as having overall professional responsibility for Nursing and Allied Health Professionals.
Adam is an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) by profession and has held senior leadership positions, both clinical and non-clinical, across the NHS and the independent sector.
Peter James is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with an international reputation for complex knee surgery, specialising in high performance knee replacements for active patients and difficult revision knee surgery. He lectures internationally on all areas of primary and revision knee surgery. He has been invited to perform live surgery both in the UK and abroad, and is visited regularly in Nottingham by other surgeons wishing to learn his techniques.
Peter has worked as a surgeon at Circle Health Group (and BMI Healthcare) hospitals for many years, and was appointed group medical director and responsible officer in 2021. He continues to practice at The Park Hospital in Nottingham as well as holding an NHS practice with Nottingham University Hospitals.
