Debt Buyer Names New CEO For Acquired Company

Published July 23, 2012, 9:33 a.m. EDT

1 Min Read

Debt buyer Portfolio Recovery Associates Inc. (PRA) on Monday named Owen James as CEO of Mackenzie Hall Holdings, succeeding Paul Mackenzie.

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PRA acquired Mackenzie Hall, a large UK debt collection and purchasing group, in January. PRA, based in Norfolk, Va., purchased 100% of the equity interest in Mackenzie Hall for a price of approximately $51 million in cash.

"Owen has built a strong, personal reputation with leading UK financial service companies, making him ideally suited to take on Mackenzie Hall's CEO role," said Steve Fredrickson, PRA's chairman, president and CEO.

"During our last six months together, Owen has been integral to strengthening Mackenzie Hall's operations and developing its plans for the future. Mackenzie Hall and PRA have shared best practices between their UK and U.S. contact centers. As a result, Mackenzie Hall is now producing strong results for its clients while assisting customers in managing their debt," Fredrickson added.

James has more than 20 years experience in the collection industry in Europe. Since joining Mackenzie Hall in 2010 as commercial director, he has overseen the business' most successful period of new client relationships with UK financial service companies.

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