In 1988, Chai founded Court Cavendish, which was rapidly recognised as a high quality continuing care company. It was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1993, and in 1996 Chai merged it with Takare to create Care First, the UK’s largest continuing care company. He remained as Chief Executive until it was taken over by BUPA in 1997. In 1999 he acquired, and became Chief Executive of, Westminster Health Care plc, the largest publicly quoted healthcare services group in the UK, which acquired Priory Hospitals in 2000. After a management buyout of the Care Home division in 2002, Chai continued as Chief Executive of Priory Healthcare.

Prior to forming Court Cavendish, Chai spent four years as an investment banker with Merrill Lynch and Lehman Brothers. He qualified as a Doctor from Southampton University in 1979.

From 1997 to 2002, he was part of the Government’s Better Regulation Task Force leading on a number of Reports including those on Long Term Care, Early Years Education and Red Tape affecting Head Teachers. In 2000, the Health Secretary appointed Chai to the Modernisation Action Team drawing up a national plan for the new NHS. He was also part of the Task Force for Older People.

Chai is very involved in healthcare policy issues, is a Trustee of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), a Senior Associate of the King’s Fund, a member of the NHS Confederation Affiliate Forum and a founder member of the New Health Network. He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal Society of Arts, a member of the Institute of Directors, a Companion of the Institute of Management and has received an Honorary Doctorate from the Open University.

In 1999 he was awarded a CBE for his services to the development of social care policies.

Chai has been a Trustee of The Windsor Leadership Trust since 2002. He feels the Trust is a unique organisation, bringing together leaders from all walks of life and at all different stages of leadership. It provides a powerful means of learning through structured work, interaction and reflection. Dr Patel has spoken at a Consultation for Newly Appointed Strategic Leaders and has participated in several Strategic Leadership Consultations.