Chai Patel

Biographical Details
"In 1988, Chai founded Court Cavendish, which was rapidly recognised as a high quality continuing care company. It was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1993, and in 1996 Chai merged it with Takare to create Care First, the UK’s largest continuing care company. He remained as Chief Executive until it was taken over by BUPA in 1997. In 1999 he acquired, and became Chief Executive of, Westminster Health Care plc, the largest publicly quoted healthcare services group in the UK, which acquired Priory Hospitals in 2000. After a management buyout of the Care Home division in 2002, Chai continued as Chief Executive of the Priory Group.

"Prior to forming Court Cavendish, Chai spent four years as an investment banker with Merrill Lynch and Lehman Brothers. He qualified as a Doctor from Southampton University in 1979.

"From 1997 to 2002, he was part of the Government’s Better Regulation Task Force leading on a number of Reports including those on Long Term Care, Early Years Education and Red Tape affecting Head Teachers. In 2000, the Health Secretary appointed Chai to the Modernisation Action Team drawing up a national plan for the new NHS. He was also part of the Task Force for Older People.

"Chai is very involved in healthcare policy issues, is a Trustee of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), a Senior Associate of the King's Fund, a member of the NHS Confederation Affiliate Forum and a founder member of the New Health Network. He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal Society of Arts, a member of the Institute of Directors, a Companion of the Institute of Management and has received an Honorary Doctorate from the Open University."

Dr Patel is due to appear before the professional conduct committee of the General Medical Council (GMC) on January 31 2005, on a charge of serious professional misconduct.

"Chai founded Court Cavendish in 1988 and took it public in 1993. Court Cavendish subsequently merged with Takare plc to become Care First. Chai bought back the Court Cavendish name in 2007 to establish a new health and social care turnaround organisation with David Spruzen. Chai is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, has been a member of Government Task Forces for Older People and for Better Regulation, and received an Honorary Doctorate from the Open University. Alongside his working life, Chai’s family foundation, the Bright Future Trust, is an active supporter of a wide range of organisations enabling young people to fulfil their potential and overcome challenges. In 2011, he was named ‘Social Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the Asian Business Awards. In 1999, Chai was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his services to the development of social care policies."

In November 2011 Chai appeared as the subject of 'The Secret Millionaire', the popular Channel 4 programme, where he is seen donating £125,000 to a number of charities in the most deprived areas of Sheffield.


 * Deputy Chair, Belgravia Nursing and Care Bureau
 * Founder, Bright Futures Trust
 * Chair, Elysian Capital
 * Chair, HC-One
 * Trustee, Windsor Leadership Trust (2000-2011)
 * Adviser and Former Trustee, Institute of Public Policy Research (2000-2009)
 * Chairman, the 90th Anniversary Combat Stress 'The Enemy Within' Appeal (2009-present)
 * Chairman and Trustee, Health Unlimited (1991-1996)
 * Trustee, Help the Aged (2000- 2002)
 * Patron of the Team 2012 Appeal:, PRIAE {Policy Research Institute on Ageing & Ethnicity); The Infant Trust and the Rwandan Memorial Project
 * Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA)
 * Federation of Patidar Associations' Award 2012 (Gujariti, Hindu, Patel Community organisation)
 * Chairman of BBC Media Action (formerly BBC World Service Trust) (2010-present)
 * Advisory Board, Bridges Ventures