Liz Rugg has taken on the role at The Ridgeway Hospital, a 53-bed facility owned by Circle Health Group.
She stepped into the position in July and will deliver a growth strategy focused on boosting the hospital’s self-pay and insured patient markets.
Her arrival comes as the hospital rolls out a multi-million pound expansion programme.
Ms Rugg said: “The Ridgeway Hospital has an incredible reputation for the quality of care it delivers to thousands of patients each year.
“I am excited to be leading the team during what is an exciting chapter in the history of the hospital.
“I look forward to working closely with teams across the hospital and Circle Health Group, harnessing all our skills and experience to take the hospital to new heights in the months and years ahead.”
She brings more than 16 years of experience from HealthHero, where she held various clinical and executive roles.
Originally from Wiltshire, Ms Rugg trained as a physiotherapist at King’s College London, and served as HealthHero’s managing director for NHS services.
The hospital’s current expansion began in January to enhance outpatient services, with work on a new entrance, consulting rooms and clinical spaces due to be completed later in the year.
In April, the hospital introduced Mazor robotic technology to support its ambition of becoming a nationally recognised centre of excellence for spinal surgery.
Ms Rugg’s appointment is being viewed as a key step in the hospital’s development in 2025.
She has expressed her intent to strengthen The Ridgeway Hospital’s reputation as the private hospital of choice for patients seeking high-quality care across Wiltshire and beyond.
She succeeds Kate Liddington, who served as executive director for more than six years and is credited with contributing significantly to the hospital’s growth.
The Ridgeway is a private hospital based in Wroughton at the edge of Swindon, that offers treatments and services for patients from across the counties of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
Circle Health Group is the UK’s largest network of independent hospitals.
Its aim is to be an innovative patient-focused healthcare organisation, supporting both self-funded and privately insured patients, and also partnering with the NHS.
The group acquired BMI Healthcare in January 2020 and now operates hospitals, integrated care programmes and rehabilitation services.
For more information see the Circle Health Group website.