Barchester’s Charitable Foundation Appoints New Chairperson

Barchester’s Charitable Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Chairperson; Simon McCall, Barchester’s Commercial Director.  After six full-filling years at the helm, Barchester’s CEO, Dr Pete Calveley, has decided it is time to hand over the reins to Simon.  Dr Calveley will continue to play an important part in the running of the charity as a Trustee.

Established in 2000, the aim of Barchester’s Charitable Foundation is to help older people and adults living with a disability or mental health problems in local communities across the country.  The charity provides grants to improve mobility and quality of life, and each year the Foundation distributes over £150,000 to individuals, small community groups and charities across England, Scotland and Wales.  

Responsible for the building of new care homes and Barchester’s change and acquisition programmes, Simon McCall joined Barchester Healthcare as Commercial Director in 2020.  He has been an active fundraiser for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, forming part of the core team in the mammoth Tour de Barchester cycle race for two consecutive years.  Despite the heatwave that coincided with last year’s race, he enjoyed it so much that he took part again this year and spent four days in the saddle covering 276 miles of Barchester’s South Division, the Tour stopped at 15 care homes in the south to raise vital funds to continue the good work of the Foundation.

Simon is passionate about the Foundation’s work, he says: “The Foundation paid out its first grant in 2003 and since then it has given more than £3.2m to over 3,000 good causes, helping to connect vulnerable people with their local communities.  I very much want to carry on that great work and continue to make a positive impact on local communities.  It is incredibly important to me that we continue our efforts to make a difference to older people and those living with a disability.”

Dr Pete Calveley, CEO of Barchester Healthcare comments:  “I have very much enjoyed my work as Chair of the Foundation but now I feel it is time for some fresh thinking.  I’m delighted to welcome Simon as Chairperson and I’m excited to work alongside him.  I’m certain he will bring a new approach and his commercial experience will be hugely beneficial in helping us shape the Foundation’s future.”