Merger creates one of UK’s largest specialist care providers
A WARWICKSHIRE children’s care group has been acquired in a deal that creates one of the UK’s largest providers of specialist care and education.
£35m-turnover Options Group, which is headquartered in Alcester and has 10 locations across England, embarked on a sale process after a strategic review.
It has merged with Outcomes First Group, a Hampshire-based group which is backed by healthcare investors Sovereign Capital and has 14 locations mainly in the south.
The deal increased the range and diversity of services and the geographic reach and the combined group will look after nearly 700 children and young adults across services ranging from special schools, residential care, colleges and specialist fostering.
Options Group’s chief executive Graham Baker will take on the same role for the expanded business with Outcomes First’s chief executive Roger Colvin stepping up to chairman.
Mr Baker said: “Our respective organisations place a strong emphasis on quality, share the same client focussed values and have strong aspirations for the future.
“This is both a tremendous opportunity and natural progression for Options that will benefit our service users, local authorities and importantly our staff.”
Catalyst Corporate Finance advised Options Group on the merger, negotiating the terms of the transaction and project-managed the deal through the due diligence process to completion. Its team was led by healthcare partner Justin Crowther.
