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Palatine strengthens advisory board

Posted: 15th June 2012 09:18

Palatine Private Equity (Palatine) has announced the appointment of two leading business figures to its Executive Advisory Board in a move that brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience across financial services; pharmaceutical; healthcare and the outsourced services sectors.

Ian Darby and Michael Fort join Palatine’s experienced advisory board, which already comprises Pets at Home founder Anthony Preston, Mears Group PLC Chairman Bob Holt, Neil McArthur MBE, Head of Group Innovation for TalkTalk Technology and experienced industrialist Mike Hassall.
Ian Darby has worked in the financial services industry for more than 25 years. He has held a number of senior roles in the industry and was most recently CEO of Towergate Financial. Ian is currently Chairman of mortgage broker John Charcol and private investor network, Connection Capital. He has a successful track record leading a variety of investments financed by both private equity funds and individual investor syndicates.

Michael Fort joins the board after playing a key role in the expansion of Synexus which he transformed into one of the world’s largest multinational companies dedicated to the recruitment and management of clinical trials at its own research centres. Michael led the floatation of the company on AiM in 2005 and also the private equity backed public to private transaction in 2007. He will support Palatine with his knowledge and expertise in the healthcare, medical and pharmaceutical sectors.

The members of the Executive Advisory Board work with the Palatine team originating and assessing transactions and, in some cases, work with investee companies post deal. However, all investment decisions are made by the three Palatine partners.

Gary Tipper, Managing Partner at Palatine Private Equity, commented: “We are delighted with the appointments of Ian and Michael, adding to our experienced advisory board and bringing additional sector knowledge. Having access to these experienced individuals and their direct sector knowledge is incredibly valuable to both our investment team and the management teams that we back.”