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EUROPE Winner...
ROB ROGER CEO of Spire Healthcare
United Kingdom CEO INSIGHT...
Rob Roger has been CEO of Spire since May 2011.
Previously he
was appointed CFO when Spire Healthcare was formed in 2007. Prior to joining the world of healthcare, Rob spent 20 years in the leisure industry, primarily at Pepsico, First Choice PLC and Merlin Entertainment Group.
In all of these companies he has seen strong growth during his tenure through the basic concept of understanding the hierarchy of customer needs and delivering to them. This, combined with managing a highly autonomous and flat management structure, means staff feel empowered and make decisions that will lead to change.
Q achievements
What are your most important professional at Spire
Healthcare? Shortly after I became CEO I
made it a priority to realign the culture of the company behind a consistent vision, mission and values. I wanted those to help focus everyone within the company and help manage a changing payor mix, particularly in relation to changes and opportunities with the NHS.
Q
How did you achieve that?
I agreed with my management team what our business stands for and how we work with each other.
In the year since re-launch, through a comprehensive communications campaign, we have embedded and reinforced these values in all our hospitals and facilities. All in all this took us about a year to do.
Q How do you see the future of your industry?
Healthy. We are in a sector where due to the ageing population and
changing demographics, demand for healthcare will outstrip the public’s ability to supply. This will present opportunities to deliver great patient care at a fair price. With our mix of insured patients, self-pay patients and NHS patients we are well placed to support the growing demand for healthcare in the UK.
Q
What lessons have you learned as a CEO?
You can have opposing views within your business, which often are at odds with each other, not because they don’t have the same objective but refraction gets in the way.
Q
What are the key success factors for a CEO?
Have a long term vision and invest in your customers. They can have long memories so it’s important every experience they have with you is a good one.
Q
What advice do you give to rising CEOs?
Try and work in a private equity backed business. It will focus your accountability and ability to adapt. It will also develop your skills for managing upwards, particularly around investment and setting expectations.
Q
Who do you admire as another CEO or a leader?
Carolyn McCall is someone who has done a great job at EasyJet. She took a brand that was well developed but seemed a bit confused and she’s delivered a business that is a true global airline and seeing amazing growth. It has kept its culture though, and I see that reflected in how their staff behave. I choose to travel EasyJet now within Europe, not because it the cheapest but because of its customer service. It is also easy to do business with, which is what I try to replicate at Spire Healthcare.
FINANCE MONTHLY CEO AWARDS 2014
Rob Roger, CEO of Spire Healthcare Website: www.spirehealthcare.com