Chair of Sheffield private health insurer steps down after 35 years

Mr Moore joined as chief executive in 1985 and was appointed chairman in 1995. He has been a leader at the organisation for more than a third of its 100-year history.

“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”, Mr Moore said.

“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.”

During his tenure, the company introduced several market-leading initiatives, growing from a £5m local business to a £70m turnover company with 9,000 clients in the UK and Europe.

Clients pay in regular sums to fund private medical treatment when they need it.

As chair of the company’s charitable trust, he has overseen the contribution of more than £15m to a wide range of charities both national and local, including a new bay in the cancer and leukaemia ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

In recognition, Mr Moore 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 more than a decade.

Mr Moore said: “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.”

His successor, Steve Purdham, is a familiar face in the entrepreneur community and 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, Mr Purdham has won many prestigious business awards including Technology CEO of the Year and Technology Entrepreneur of the Year.

He started working with Westfield Health in 2015, becoming a non-executive board member in April.

He said: “I’m daunted, humbled, proud and excited to become custodian of the next chapter of this great company.”

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