Court Cavendish, the global technology investor and former healthcare turnaround specialist, has today announced the appointment of Ben Kent as Special Advisor.
Ben’s appointment comes as Court Cavendish further implements its strategy of deploying senior expertise alongside its existing capital investments. Ben is the second Special Advisor appointed by Court Cavendish this year, following the appointment of former Tesco Chief Financial Officer Laurie McIlwee in January 2021.
Ben brings with him over fifteen years of experience working in the healthcare sector, and considerable expertise in corporate finance. As Special Advisor, he will provide strategic advice and mentorship to support Court Cavendish’s investment in healthcare companies – a portfolio that includes DocTime, the emerging markets telehealth provider. Ben has been Chief Financial Officer at DocTime for the past four months.
DocTime is an online medical service targeting emerging markets that are rapidly digitising. It first launched in Bangladesh in 2020, and has received funding from Court Cavendish to enhance its platform and services and to support its rapid growth.
Court Cavendish established its reputation by transforming struggling health and social care companies such as Westminster Health, the Priory Group, and Care Management Group. In 2011, its Founder and Chairman Dr Chai Patel CBE FRCP founded HC-One, which rose to become the largest residential care provider in the UK under his leadership. Dr Patel has recently retired as HC-One Chief Executive and Chairman; however, Court Cavendish retains a significant minority shareholding in the business.
Since 2017, Court Cavendish has predominantly invested in rapidly expanding technology-based companies that aspire to make a positive difference in societies. Its portfolio now stretches over e-commerce, financial technology, health technology and environmental technology sectors, and includes businesses at various stages of development, from fresh start-ups to pre-IPO.
There are currently over twenty investments under management by Court Cavendish, which are deploying technological solutions in response to a wide range of global challenges and opportunities. These include tackling air pollution, curing blindness, and expanding access to medical services in the developing world.
Dr Chai Patel FRCP CBE, Founder and Chairman of Court Cavendish, said:
“Court Cavendish has always taken its responsibility to its healthcare portfolio extremely seriously. The appointment of Ben marks a new era of opportunity for investment and mentorship in the sector.
“Ben’s financial expertise, and experience within renowned healthcare companies, will be instrumental in helping us expand our offering to the organisations that we support. We are determined to help all our investments tackle global health problems through innovative technological solutions.”
Commenting on his appointment at Court Cavendish, Ben Kent said:
“Having worked in the healthcare sector for the past fifteen years, I admire Chai’s leadership in turning struggling care providers into some of the most successful healthcare businesses in the UK. I look forward to working with him to support Court Cavendish’s investments, including my role with DocTime.
“DocTime has the vision to be the leading virtual health provider in emerging markets. I look forward to continue working with the talented team, to help those in need get fast, convenient and affordable access to healthcare.”
Notes to Editors
Press contact: Nathan Hollow, Nathan.Hollow@plmr.co.uk or 07811 153 843
Interviews are available on request with:
- Ben Kent, Special Advisor, Court Cavendish, and Chief Financial Officer, DocTime
- Dr Chai Patel CBE FRCP, Founder and Chairman, Court Cavendish
Ben Kent
Ben is a CFO and board director with over fifteen years’ experience in the healthcare industry. His in-depth knowledge of the sector includes insurance and provision, investment, and operations, enabling transformation of start-up, scale-up and mature companies, throughout a range of markets including the UK, Asia and Australia.
Ben studied Mathematics at the University of Oxford, qualified as a chartered accountant with PwC, and worked as a corporate financier with UBS.
After senior finance roles with Logica and Associated British Foods, in 2005 Ben moved into the health sector. He worked for Bupa for seven years, and was Finance Director for Bupa’s international health insurance division, covering a range of markets in Asia, Europe and Latin America. In 2013, Ben was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Simplyhealth, leading the business through significant operational improvement and business change, including a major divestment, new market entry and brand redevelopment. More recently, Ben was the Chief Operating Officer of Doctor Care Anywhere, the rapidly growing UK-based doctor-led telehealth business, as it doubled revenue and went through IPO.
Ben’s first engagement with Court Cavendish is as Chief Financial Officer of DocTime, a Court Cavendish backed virtual healthcare provider, where he is working with the CEO and the Founder on strategy, business development, fundraising, and developing the financial processes and controls to support the business scale up.
Court Cavendish
Court Cavendish has invested in health and social care operations since 1989, transforming companies such as Westminster Health, the Priory Group, Care Management Group and HC-One, into some of the largest providers in the UK. After two decades, Court Cavendish began to invest in global technology, and since then it has supported numerous fast-growing companies through various stages of their development.
The Court Cavendish portfolio now includes companies operating in sectors as diverse as ecommerce, healthcare technology, environmental services, online gaming, financial technology, and hospitality technology. All the companies are linked by a shared desire to use innovation to make a difference in the world.
Court Cavendish website: https://courtcavendish.com/
Dr Chai Patel CBE FRCP personal website: https://www.drchaipatel.org/
DocTime
DocTime is an online medical service that uses advanced technology to improve the health and wellbeing of the population. It was founded in 2020 by Anowar Hossain, a technology entrepreneur who grew up in Bangladesh. It’s telehealth service has since grown, with plans to expand into other emerging markets going through rapid digitisation.
DocTime offers a number of services including on demand GP and specialist consultations, online prescriptions, medicine delivery, and integrated tests and diagnostics. The company is building up a valuable electronic health record to support patient care, clinical research, and government-led programmes. Its technology gives access to healthcare for all and is particularly impactful for those who need the most, in a trustworthy and affordable way. DocTime is committed to excellence and to making a positive contribution to the healthcare of the future.
DocTime website: https://doctime.com.bd/
