Chair and COO at Medneo UK

The Company 

Medneo faced a significant opportunity in August last year when it was acquired by the private equity firm CVC DIF. This acquisition marked CVC DIF’s first investment in the UK healthcare sector, adding a layer of significance to the transition. Medneo UK, with an annual revenue of approximately £22 million, sought our assistance in appointing a new Chair and COO to navigate this new phase. 

The Roles 

The primary challenge was to find the right candidates for the Chair and COO positions who could not only fulfil their immediate roles but also support the long-term growth and stability of Medneo UK. The CEO of Medneo UK, Andy Spellman, and CVC DIF required candidates who understood the nuances of the UK private healthcare market and could drive growth. 

Additionally, the COO role was expected to transition into the CEO role within a few years, adding another layer of complexity to the search. The process had to be conducted under strict confidentiality due to the ongoing acquisition. This was essential due to the ongoing acquisition, and we were fortunate to have a strong internal candidate whose contribution was highly valued and helped shape our thinking.  

The Search 

Odgers and Berwick were selected to pitch for the Chair and COO roles, respectively. A joint proposal was submitted and accepted by CVC DIF and Medneo UK. The search process was meticulously planned and executed, ensuring that only the most suitable candidates were approached. 

• Chair Role: The search for the Chair role was led by Odgers. The process was thorough, and the final appointment was Steve Gray, the former CEO of Nuffield. This was Gray’s first Non-Executive Director (NED) appointment, making it a significant milestone for both him and Medneo UK. 

• COO Role: The search for the COO role was led by Berwick. The appointed candidate, Ella Tracey, brought a strong commercial background and extensive experience in businesses of similar size to Medneo UK. Tracey’s appointment was strategic, considering her potential to transition into the CEO role in the future. 

The Impact 

These appointments were pivotal for Medneo UK. Gray’s experience and leadership were expected to provide strategic direction, while Tracey’s commercial acumen and operational expertise were crucial for driving growth. 

The successful appointment of the Chair and COO for Medneo UK demonstrated the effectiveness of a well-coordinated executive search process. The collaboration between Odgers, Berwick, CVC DIF, and Medneo UK ensured that the right candidates were selected to lead the company through its next phase of growth. Due to this success, we are now working on a new (confidential) search for Medneo. 

The Client 

‘A well-connected, professional and responsive team who gave us valuable insight and support throughout the process to successful appointment.’ 

— Neil Marvell, Senior Director (Investments), CVC | DIF 

‘Berwick Partners delivered exceptional support in the recruitment of our Chair and COO appointments at Medneo. Their flexibility, thorough understanding of our requirements and consistent responsiveness throughout the process were instrumental in achieving the successful hires.’

— Andrew Spellman, CEO, Medneo UK