Ross Care, a major provider of wheelchair services and mobility equipment, has been acquired by Millbrook Healthcare in a deal backed by Cairngorm Capital Partners LLP.
Dow Schofield Watts advised Ross Care on the deal, which will create a national group that is a market leader within the sector. Established in 1949, Ross Careprovides services and equipment on behalf of NHS and local authorities and is the UK’s largest provider of wheelchair repair contracts. Based in Wallasey, it has stores in Manchester, Ellesmere Port, Leeds and Sunderland as well as18 service centres across the North.
Initiated by the retirement of Michael Turner, Ross Care’s Chairman and majority shareholder, the deal will allow both businesses to expand geographically and increase the range of services and benefits they offer. Ross Care’s Managing Director, James Parramore will continue to lead the Ross Care business and will join the executive leadership team of the enlarged group, which will be headquartered in Southampton and have 45 service centres nationwide and 1,200 colleagues delivering over 70 contracts.
Andy Dodd, Gerard Lucas, and Callum Sellar of Dow Schofield Watts provided corporate finance advice to the shareholders of Ross Care.
Michael Turner, Ross Care’s Chairman and majority shareholder, said: “Ross Care has a fantastic heritage and I am extremely proud of all that we have achieved to this point. I know that the company has the capability to achieve much more but this is the natural point for me to pass the company to new, trusted custodians who can deliver on its future potential. In Millbrook, Ross Care has a perfect partner, and together the companies should achieve great things.”
Dr Amit Thaper, who led the Cairngorm Capital team, said: “Ross Care is an excellent company that is highly regarded by its customers and service users. The combination of Ross Care and Millbrook is strategically compelling and delivers additional capabilities and services across the group, to the benefit of all customers. Significant investments are taking place for both businesses and we look forward to supporting Phillip Campling and James Parramore to deliver their growth plan.”
Dow Schofield Watts’ Midlands office has advised JPS Projects, a leading provider of specialist retrofit services with operations in Manchester, Chesterfield and Hemel Hempstead, on its private equity investment from Cordovan Capital Management.
