Healthcare property firm boss in battle with cancer
WARRINGTON-headquartered healthcare property company Assura has revealed its chief executive Graham Roberts is battling cancer.
The company says Roberts is receiving treatment and remains actively involved in running the business.
Chairman Simon Laffin said: “We have a clear strategy, and Graham is well-supported in delivering this by the first-class management team that he has developed.
“I shall be available to provide executive oversight if required. We all wish Graham well in his treatment and recovery.”
The announcement of Roberts’ illness coincided with a six-month trading update from Assura to February 8 which trumpeted a £300m equity raise in October.
The funds, net of expenses, will fund further acquisitions, the company said, and strengthen its balance sheet.
Since the equity raise, the proceeds have been applied in a reduction of long-term debt by £181m – with additional early prepayment costs – the temporary repayment of the revolving credit facility of £35m and 12 property additions with a gross value on completion of £39m.
The property additions consist of 10 property acquisitions, one completed development and one completed forward funding agreement and increases the rent roll by £2.3m with a weighted average unexpired lease term of 21.9 years.
In a statement released by the list company, Roberts said: “There has been a renewed emphasis from the NHS and politicians recently on addressing the chronic shortage of primary care space in the UK.
“Assura is ideally placed with the expertise, scale and financial flexibility to support this essential investment in our nation’s primary care infrastructure.”
