Pictured above: Ramesh Jassal

Clearwater Corporate Finance has strengthened its healthcare team with the appointment of former 3i analyst, Ramesh Jassal.

In his new role, Ramesh will work closely with the firm's experienced dealmakers in the origination and execution of investment opportunities, providing market, technical and commercial analysis of businesses across the global healthcare sector. 

Ramesh joins Clearwater's Birmingham office having spent nine months as group leader in business intelligence at the University of Birmingham, providing market knowledge of high growth healthcare technology companies to the University's Research and Commercial department, advising on issues surrounding licensing, intellectual property and spin-outs. 

Previously, Ramesh spent four years as global healthcare analyst at the international private equity house 3i, providing financial and technical support and commercial due diligence, identifying and working with businesses in the pharmaceutical, medical devices and care services sub-sectors. Prior to joining 3i in 2005, Ramesh completed an MBA from the Open University whilst working as a senior researcher for a drug delivery business.

Andy Moore, head of Clearwater's healthcare sector team, said: "Ramesh joins us as a leading authority in healthcare markets, with 11 years experience in key focus areas such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and care services. His global expertise will prove invaluable in identifying and working with businesses in this stable, anti-cyclical sector, which has become a target for M&A activity as consumer awareness of healthcare issues has increased."

Ramesh commented: "Clearwater is an innovative and well-respected name in corporate finance, and I'm delighted to join at a time of major investment in the private healthcare sector. Having held a global remit in previous roles, I look forward to working with Clearwater's experienced healthcare team, supporting its partners in deal origination, research and execution.

"As the financial markets settle and liquidity returns over the course of this year, the appetite for investment will return for trade buyers and financial institutions alike. Companies and payers in the Healthcare sector will look to react to the continuous pressures on funding and the increased demand for services. New innovative solutions and models will be required to cope with these challenges. Out of this cost-conscious environment healthcare companies will look for smart, synergistic acquisitions, while payers will seek solutions that can improve efficiency and productivity in the delivery of care. In turn, there are reasons to be cautiously optimistic for increased M&A activity in the healthcare sector in 2010."