Former chief executive of Oasis Healthcare Justin Ash has taken up the post of chairman at strategy and communications firm GK Strategy and its sister company onefourzero.

Prior to this appointment, Ash (pictured) oversaw the growth of Bridgepoint-backed Oasis Healthcare to become the UK’s largest private dental firm, before overseeing its sale to Bupa for £835 million last year. Ash was also previously the UK managing director of Lloyds Pharmacy for four years.

GK Strategy provides provides political due diligence to private equity firms transacting in highly regulated markets, as well as public affairs and communications services, while onefourzero provides digital due diligence.

Ash said: “I will be helping the businesses lay out and deliver an ambitious road map of growth and expansion in the years ahead as well as further strengthening their respective propositions, especially for the private equity community.

“Much of my leadership experience has been gained in highly regulated, health markets. These are challenging but rewarding environments to work in. Businesses that are most successful gather objective, fact-based analysis of risk and are proactive in contributing to the ever-changing regulatory framework. GK’s consulting arm excel in doing this evidence-based engagement.

“GK’s political risk advisory and diligence service and sister digital agency, onefourzero, are innovating in the support of private equity sponsors in the deal process. I am struck by the unique approach onefourzero take in digital profiling and there are very few types of business that onefourzero and GK are not working with. That variety and leading edge practice is extremely exciting.”