Done snaps up Capita unit

ENTREPRENEUR Peter Done has bolstered his employee assistance provision business Health Assured with a strategic acquisition.

In a deal that should double Manchester-based Health Assured’s revenues to £10m and boost staff numbers by 30%, he has bought listed group Capita’s employee assistance programme unit, previously known as First Assist.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The Capita unit is currently based in Leicestershire and has 39 staff.

Like Health Assured, Capita’s employee assistance programme business provides access to counselling support and information. The Capita business has clients includding large corporate and major insurers, and has a heritage of providing mental health support.

Peter Done, group managing director of Peninsula Services Group, parent company of Health Assured, said: ‘The acquisition is a natural fit for Health Assured as it builds upon our existing strengths in the health and well-being market and supports our ambitious growth plans, moving more into the large corporate and insurance space.

“On behalf of our management team, I’d like to thank Capita for its support and dedication that has enabled us to ensure a smooth and successful transaction.”

David Price, director at Health Assured added: “We have the infrastructure in place to successfully integrate this business, and our aim is to take the best of both operating models and propositions to create an enhanced market leading offering.

“This acquisition is really exciting for us, and we believe that the scale, experience and passion of our two businesses combined will really set the market alight.”