Nuffield Health has announced that Steve Gray will replace David Mobbs as chief executive when the charity’s longstanding leader stands down at the end of this year.

Having led the growth of the health and wellbeing offering at both Lloyds

Pharmacy and subsequently at Superdrug, Gray has a strong background in healthcare and was described as the “outstanding candidate” by Nuffield Health chair Russell Hardy.

“Steve’s strategic insights into the UK healthcare market combined with his vision for Nuffield Health over the next stage of its development were compelling,” said Hardy.

“He has a proven track record of innovation and commercial success across a range of healthcare markets. Nuffield Health is in safe hands.”

Gray faces a tough job in filling the void left by David Mobbs, who was hailed 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.

"Nuffield Health is a world class health and wellbeing provider and I'm excited to be given the chance to lead it at a time when both those things will feature ever higher in our national way of life,” said Gray.

“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to build on David Mobbs' legacy at Nuffield Health as it is an organisation I have long respected and admired."