Physiotherapy business flexes UK footprint with latest acquisition

Sano Physiotherapy, the Leeds-based physiotherapy business, has acquired Physio Direct Sherwood Limited to become one of the largest physiotherapy businesses in the UK

Sano Physiotherapy, which received backing from investment fund Solingen Private Equity in 2017, provides physiotherapy services to over 1,000 patients per week from its current network of clinics to a mix of private, insurance referred and NHS patients.

The company also provides health physiotherapy services to corporate customers such as Asda, Haribo and Wincanton Logistics.

Sano was founded in 2010 by managing director and chartered physiotherapist Matthew Taylor, who established the company’s first clinic based in Pudsey, Leeds.

The acquisition of Nottinghamshire-based Physio Direct has doubled the size of the overall group to a network of 40 clinics, and increased the overall patient volumes to in excess of 150,000 physiotherapy appointments per annum.

The enlarged Sano group now employs around 100 full-time staff across its 40 locations of, which 75 are healthcare professionals including 65 chartered physiotherapists.

Matthew Taylor, managing director of Sano, said: “This is an exciting time for Sano Physiotherapy Ltd as we continue to accelerate our ambitious growth plans. The acquisition of Physio Direct fits perfectly with our goal to increase our geographic footprint in the UK whilst continuing to provide the highest quality physiotherapy services to all our patients.

“We have been highly impressed with the quality and ethos of the Physio Direct business which fits well with how we operate at Sano”.

“We have come a long way from our original clinic in Leeds. The UK physiotherapy market is highly fragmented with many private businesses operating from single site business models.

“When I set out with Sano I had a vision to create a significant business which could become a nationwide presence and deliver high quality physiotherapy and occupational health services, and the acquisition of Physio Direct sets us firmly on that path.”

Owen Robinson, founder of Physio Direct, added: “We are delighted to be joining the Sano Physiotherapy group. The opportunity to team up with Sano and become part of an enlarged business will enable us to expand our range of services and increase patient volumes. I look forward to working with Matthew and the team at Sano.”

Schofield Sweeney’s corporate team (Adrian Ballam, partner, and Daniel Bisby, solicitor) provided legal advice to Sano Physiotherapy.

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