Bestway Healthcare announces the retirement of CEO Seb Hobbs due to family health reasons
Hobbs, who joined the company in 2019, navigated it through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and successfully oversaw the acquisition and integration of Lexon in 2023. He will retire from the company at the end of September 2024.
“After five years with the company, I am retiring at the end of September to spend time with my wife who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year,” Hobbs said.
“I wish to extend my personal thanks to our owners, the Bestway Group, for their kindness and understanding of our situation.
“It has been a privilege to lead the Well Pharmacy, now Bestway Healthcare organisation. The business is resilient for today and fit to prosper in the long term. When I leave it will be with gratitude and admiration for the 7,500+ people in Bestway Healthcare who are committed to improving the lives of our patients and customers, thank you all.”
Greg Pateras is set to assume leadership thereafter. He will join the company by the end of July 2024, undergoing an intensive induction process before taking on the CEO role in September.
Pateras brings extensive experience from senior leadership roles in multi-site retail organisations, including serving as CFO at Shop Direct, COO and Deputy CEO at Matalan, and CEO at Frasers Fashion.
Commenting on his appointment, Pateras said: “I am genuinely honoured that the owners at Bestway Group have given me the opportunity to lead Bestway Healthcare.
“I think the scale of the business with its integrated model, along with its ambitious owners and passionate colleagues leave us well placed in the continuously changing healthcare market.
“I really look forward to joining the great team that Seb has put together, who play such an important role in supporting pharmacists and healthcare professionals in improving the lives of millions of people.”
Lord Choudrey CBE SI Pk, Chair of Bestway Group and Bestway Healthcare, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Group for Seb's contributions to the business.
“On behalf of the Board of Bestway Group and the wider Bestway family I would like to place on record my personal thanks to Seb for all he has done for the business and also to wish him and Emma all the best going forward.
He also congratulated Greg on his new appointment, wishing him every success as he leads the business into the future
