England rugby star buys second care home

A former England rugby player who moved into the care industry six years ago has purchased his second care home with funding from Barclays.

Simon Hodgkinson, who runs Owen & Owen Retirement Developments, has bought the Beech House Care Home in Worksop. The home offers residential and dementia care for 32 service users and employs 35 staff.

The company bought its first home – Westcliffe Care Home – in 2011 in Radcliffe on Trent, which caters for 19 service users and employs 22 staff.

Hodgkinson said: “It has been our ambition for some time to extend our care home business and when the opportunity arose to purchase Beech House, we knew that it aligned with our existing home and would enable us to grow the business further. We want to continue to offer the excellent level of care and build on the home’s reputation.”

James Rutter, relationship director in Nottingham said: “I am delighted we have been able to support the owners with funding to help expand their business. The purchase of Beech House offered a strategic fit with their existing home.”

HSKS Greenhalgh corporate finance manager Simon Hopkin said: “We have continued to work closely with Simon since he first entered the sector five years ago with the acquisition of Westcliffe Care Home. It is very pleasing to see the knowledge, experience and enjoyment he has gained from running this particular business inspire him to buy a second home and we were delighted to help him identify a suitable business and complete the deal on his behalf.”

Roger Harcourt, of Shakespeare Martineau, acted for the buyers.