17th December 2010 Richard Burrell Appointed Chairman of FirstCare

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Absence management and occupational health are set to become key issues for Britain’s major employers in the public and private sector in 2011 as the repercussions from this autumn’s Comprehensive Spending Review pan out.

FirstCare is the leading company in the UK offering outsourced management of these important areas. FirstCare looks after 120,000 employees and has contracts with over 70 separate organizations including British Gas, Coca Cola, Argos, various hospital trusts and an increasing number of local authorities. Most organisations using FirstCare see cash savings in the region of £250k for every 1,000 employees on the service and FirstCare offers new clients a guaranteed 10% absence reduction in their first year.

With strong growth expected in the company over the next couple of years, FirstCare is delighted to announce the appointment of Richard Burrell, one of the health sector’s leading investors, as NonExecutive Chairman with immediate effect.

Voted as the No1 Most Powerful Person in Independent Healthcare when winning the Health Investor Power Fifty Award just a year ago, Richard brings his expertise in healthcare provision and services to the challenge of guiding and advising FirstCare, a young, exciting and flourishing private equity-backed company.

Following a successful career in investment banking and property fund management, Richard founded Assura one of the leading listed providers of primary care buildings and services. Earlier this year, as CEO of Assura, Richard led the disposal of a 75% interest in Assura Medical to the Virgin Group. Richard 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 Richard.

In September 2010, Richard formed Mathieson Capital LLP, a private equity investment business which will be investing in FirstCare at its next funding round.

Speaking on Richard’s appointment, FirstCare’s Chief Executive, Aaron Ross, said: “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.”

Richard commented: “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.”