Private equity firm Permira has appointed Andy Eckert as a senior advisor to its global technology team, focusing on healthcare technology investments. He will also work with the firm’s healthcare team on broader opportunities in the sector.

Eckert has more than 30 years’ experience across the healthcare industry, managing and growing healthcare companies. He sits on the board of directors of Becton, Dickinson and Company, a global medical technology company, and was most recently chief executive of Zelis, a payments technology and cost containment platform. He was also previously chairman of Varian, a cancer care company that became part of Siemens Healthineers through a $16.4 billionn acquisition last year.

Prior to this, Eckert was the chief executive of Acelity, a provider of wound care solutions and products. He has also been chief executive of numerous other healthcare companies including TriZetto, Valence Health, CRC Health Group, Eclipsys Corporation and SumTotal. He began his career at ADAC Laboratories, which included four years as chairman and chief executive until its sale to Philips Medical Systems.

Permira has deployed more than €17.5billiion in the technology sector and over €4.2 billion in the healthcare sector to date.

Eckert said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Permira, one of the leading private equity firms operating on a global scale. The healthcare industry is increasingly attractive for investment and Permira is well-positioned to be an important player in its technological transformation. I look forward to partnering with the healthcare and technology sector teams to find investment opportunities that will help drive innovation in healthcare globally.”

Ryan Lanpher, technology partner at Permira, and Silvia Oteri, partner and head of healthcare at Permira, commented: “Andy brings a rare combination of knowledge and expertise in the healthcare, technology and healthtech sectors and we are thrilled to welcome him to the Permira family. Technology is playing an increasingly critical role in improving healthcare innovation and delivery, and we look forward to leveraging Andy’s experience to explore more collaborative investment opportunities in the space.”