IPC Appoints Michael Howe as Senior Advisor

Irving Place Capital, a middle-market private equity firm, announced today that it has appointed Michael Howe as a Senior Advisor for the firm’s healthcare practice. Mr. Howe will work closely with Irving Place Capital to identify, evaluate, and pursue new investments in the consumer-facing healthcare space. In particular, Mr. Howe will focus on opportunities that are at the intersection of consumer decision-making and healthcare delivery and that improve quality of care and clinical outcomes while addressing cost and access.

Mr. Howe was formerly CEO of MinuteClinic, the first and largest retail-based healthcare provider in the U.S. During his tenure there, Mr. Howe led the national expansion of this innovative concept, with MinuteClinic growing from 19 clinics in two markets to more than 525 clinics in 27 states. For his efforts, Mr. Howe was recognized by Fast Company magazine in 2006 as one of the top 50 people who will change how Americans work and live over the next 10 years.

“As healthcare continues to evolve, consumers are seeking more personal and accessible care from their providers,” said Mr. Howe. “I am thrilled to partner with a firm that will enable me to apply my experience to developing and expanding healthcare delivery models that integrate consumer expectations and experiences.”

Mr. Howe’s career has been distinguished by his ability to identify consumer needs, develop strategic vision, and build nationally recognized brands at companies including MinuteClinic, Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo and Helene Curtis. Prior to MinuteClinic, Mr. Howe served as the CEO of Arby’s, a national quick-service restaurant operating company with 3,400 restaurants and nearly $3 billion in annual revenue.
“Michael’s unique perspective on the evolving ‘retail-ization’ of healthcare delivery will significantly enhance our capacity to evaluate prospective investment opportunities,” said Bob Juneja, Senior Managing Director of Irving Place Capital. “He brings deep operational expertise and entrepreneurial leadership which will drive value creation and will help us further Irving Place Capital’s strong track record of successful investments.”