Nuffield Health group CEO David Mobbs has announced that he is to stand down at the end of 2015, having transformed the charity during his 14 years at the helm.

A replacement is expected to be announced later this week, with Mobbs having worked closely with Nuffield Health chair Russell Hardy over the past twelve months to plan a smooth transition.

“After 14 extraordinary years, I have decided the time is right for me to step-aside and move on to explore new opportunities,” said Mobbs.

“I am pleased to be handing over a business that is in great shape – we are performing well, we are soundly financed and we have strong leadership at all levels.

“As for my own future, my drive is as strong today as it always has been, my passion to innovate in healthcare delivery is undiminished, and I will be seeking new opportunities to make an impact.”

Hailed by Hardy as a “visionary in healthcare provision,” Mobbs has been pivotal in repositioning Nuffield Health from a hospital operator to become the leading integrated health and wellbeing business in the UK. The company now includes 31 hospitals, 77 fitness and wellbeing centres, plus more than 200 on-site employee wellbeing contracts.

Mobbs oversaw the 2007 acquisition of Cannons Health & Fitness – Nuffield Health’s first step into the public health club market – as well as the subsequent takeovers of the Greens gym chain, nine Virgin Active clubs and several other gyms. The strategic acquisitions enabled Mobbs to realise his vision for health club offerings with services including physiotherapy, weight management programmes and health assessments.

He also led the 2008 rebrand of Nuffield Hospitals, Proactive Health and Cannons to become Nuffield Health, as well as the 2010 merger the Bladerunner corporate fitness business.

More recently, Mobbs has orchestrated a partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) to build a modern and technologically advanced independent hospital in Manchester with state of the art health systems, due for completion in 2017. He has also driven a pilot project with think tank 2020health to tackle the alarming increase in chronic diseases and mental health issues in children by funding a school ‘Head of Wellbeing’ initiative.

“I would like to thank David for his many years of outstanding service to Nuffield Health,” said Nuffield Health chair, Hardy.

“He has in many ways been a visionary in healthcare provision with the acquisition of the Cannons Gyms business and the consequent drive to provide integrated services through our hospitals and wellbeing centres. On behalf of all of the board I wish him well for the future”.