Recognition for UK Care Home Chief

21st November 2013

The chairman of one of Britain's biggest care home providers was honoured by Sheffield Hallam University today.

  Dr Chai Patel CBE, chair of HC-One, joined students from the University's Faculty of Health and Wellbeing at a graduation ceremony at Sheffield City Hall where he was awarded an honorary doctorate.   He was recognised for his career spanning 30 years in the health and social care industry having led some of the largest care providers in the UK, including The Priory Group and CareFirst.   In 2011 he participated in the Channel 4 programme, The Secret Millionaire, focusing on Sheffield-based charities the Gleadless Valley Community Forum and the Cathedral Archer Project which supports the homeless.   Qualifying as a doctor in the early stages of his career, the Ugandan-born philanthropist left the NHS to work in the financial sector in the City, before founding care company, Court Cavendish in 1988.   The business grew and eventually became, CareFirst, the UK's largest continuing care company, before it was taken over by BUPA in 1997.   Receiving his award, Dr Patel said: -It is truly a great pleasure and a privilege to be standing here today to receive this honour from such a dynamic and innovative university and in this great and beautiful city.   "Health and wellbeing is one of the most important aspects of our society and the graduates who are here today and who are about to embark on a career in the industry will be making an invaluable contribution to society. To me, this is one of the most exciting areas to work in.   "Amongst some of the most rewarding and inspirational times for me, was when I had the opportunity to visit and support some of the most amazing charities, working incredibly hard here in Sheffield and I am very much looking forward to developing my links with the city even further by working with Sheffield Hallam University in the future."   Nominating Chai for the honorary doctorate, Professor Judy Simons of Sheffield Hallam University, said: "I was really impressed with Chai's commitment to the two Sheffield charities he helped on Secret Millionaire.   "Not only did he help to raise public awareness of the plight of the homeless but he has maintained his interest in these causes and continued his support. Brilliant!"