Private equity-backed absence management company FirstCare has appointed Richard Burrell, one of the health sector’s leading investors, as non-executive chairman.
Following a career in investment banking and property fund management, Burrell founded Assura, a listed provider of primary care buildings and services.
Earlier this year, Burrell led the disposal of a 75 per cent interest in Assura Medical to the Virgin Group.
Burrell has also served as a non executive director of Stobart Group following its acquisition by the Westbury Property Fund in August 2007, a property fund founded and managed by Burrell.
In September 2010, Burrell formed Mathieson Capital, a private equity investment business which will be investing in FirstCare at its next funding round.
FirstCare’s chief executive Aaron Ross says: “I am delighted to have the expertise of such a capable chairman at the disposal of the company at this exciting time in its development. I know he will bring both energy and a wealth of experience to the table and all the staff are very much looking forward to working with him.”
Burrell says: “Public and private sector organisations are facing challenging times and the services provided by FirstCare offer meaningful reductions in absence whilst helping employees to return to heath more quickly, saving costs for the employer, whilst at the same time offering efficient case management for each employee in primary care.”