Palatine strengthens advisory board

PALATINE Private Equity has appointed businessmen Ian Darby and Michael Fort to its executive advisory board.

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 chief executive of Towergate Financial. He is currently chairman of mortgage broker John Charcol and private investor network, Connection Capital.
 
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 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.

Palatine’s advisory board 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.
 
Gary Tipper, managing partner at Palatine Private Equity, said: “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.”