Runwood Homes has announced Jeremy Richardson, the former chief executive of Four Seasons Health Care, will join the group as chief executive from early July. 

“On behalf of the board of directors, I am thrilled that Jeremy has agreed to join our business.” said Gordon Sanders, founder and current chief executive of Runwood Homes. “We are pleased that we have secured the services of one of the sector’s leading executives, and I have no doubt that under Jeremy’s leadership, the group will continue to go from strength to strength.” 

“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Runwood Homes,” added Richardson. “I am excited to work alongside Gordon and the rest of his team and to build upon the success that they have achieved. Runwood Homes is already a very successful business, but also one with enormous potential, and I am looking forward to developing that potential and building an industry-leading and innovative care group.” 

Following Richardson’s arrival, Sanders, who has held the position of chief executive since the group’s inception in 1987, will take on the role of chairman.  

Richardson was originally appointed as chief executive of brighterkind in 2014, following a career across professional services and in hospitality and leisure. He assumed the role of chief executive of the whole Four Seasons Health Care Group in late 2019, following the decision to merge the two residential care businesses in the group. Under his tenure, brighterkind was developed into an award-winning, innovative and financially successful business. As well as leading the Four Seasons Group throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Richardson has acted as a strong voice for social care in the media over the past 24 months. 

Before his leadership roles in social care, Richardson held several senior positions in the hospitality and leisure sectors, notably as executive chairman at Menzies Hotels, and as a director at Bourne Leisure, owner of Haven Holidays. Richardson was also one of the two founders of Kew Green Hotels, which he took from start-up to become one of Europe’s largest multi-franchise hotel companies. Richardson is a non-executive director of the Goodwood Estate. 

Runwood Homes is one of the UK’s largest care home providers, with over 30 years of experience in providing expert residential, dementia, nursing and respite care, in over 70 sites across the UK. The group operates its homes under two brands, Runwood Homes and Sanders Senior Living.