After 35 years here at Westfield Health, Graham Moore has stepped down as Chairman and handed over to Steve Purdham to guide us through our next chapter.
Graham joined us as Chief Executive in 1985 and was appointed as Chairman in 1995, making him a leader here at Westfield Health for over a third of our 100-year history.
Discussing his time here, Graham said: “Never in a million years did the lad from Darnall who failed the 11 plus think he’d be retiring as Chairman of one of Sheffield’s most iconic companies after 35 years’ service. I know the whole Westfield family will give Steve a warm welcome and continue to give him the support I’ve enjoyed for many years as Westfield heads into its new chapter.”
Graham’s tenure here has seen us introduce several market-leading initiatives. We’ve grown from a £5 million local business to a £70 million international company with 9000 clients across the UK and Europe.
As Chair of our Charitable Trust, Graham has overseen the contribution of more than £15 million to a wide range of charities both national and local, including the new bay in the cancer and leukaemia ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
In recognition of his contribution, Graham has been made Honorary President and will continue with his charitable work, most notably with the British Transplant Games for which Westfield Health has been a sponsor for over a decade.
Wishing the team a fond farewell, Graham reflected: “Companies don’t make a difference – it’s the colleagues in them who do. My good memories of the Westfield team will endure for the rest of my life.”
The team here at Westfield Health collected their farewell messages to wish Graham well in his retirement:
Graham’s successor will be Steve Purdham, who is a familiar face both in the entrepreneur community and here at Westfield Health.
Having founded several technology companies, including a FTSE 250 company and one of the UK’s first “unicorn” internet businesses which at its peak was valued over £1 billion, Steve has won many prestigious business awards including Technology CEO of the Year and Technology Entrepreneur of the Year. Steve first joined the Westfield Health team in 2015, before becoming a Non-Executive Board Member in April this year.
Steve commented: “I’m daunted, humbled, proud and excited to become custodian of the next chapter of this great company. I’m looking forward to helping guide the team to meet our aspirations so we can make even more of a difference to our customers, colleagues and the communities in which we live and work.”
Welcoming Steve to his new role, Westfield Health CEO, Dave Capper, said: “With no shareholders, the Westfield Health Board have a vital role to play in helping guide us on our mission to make a healthy difference. Both as CEO and later as Chairman, Graham played a pivotal role in shaping Westfield Health into the company it is today, and he’ll be sorely missed.
“They’re big shoes to fill, but with Steve’s experience – both in business and at Westfield Health – I’m excited to work together to help Westfield thrive for the next 100 years.”