Ark’s expansion to create 500 new jobs

Ark’s expansion to create 500 new jobs

Ark Home Healthcare (Ark) has today (19th September 2011) acquired part of Anchor Trust and announced plans to create an additional 500 new jobs in the next six months.

With the assistance of private equity partners Ashridge Capital and Core Capital, the specialist domiciliary care company has paid an undisclosed sum for six of Anchor’s home care operations located across the country.

The acquisition will see it take over 14 local authority contracts and 460 staff transferred to Ark in accordance with TUPE regulations.

Commenting on the acquisition, Ark chief executive officer Mark Lavery said: “Ark’s primary aims are to bring the very highest standards in care, and innovation in service delivery, to the UK home care market. The Anchor operations compliment perfectly our growing network of quality home care branches and will enable us to expand the range of services we offer across a broader geographical base.”

Whilst investing in the home care businesses already established by Anchor, Ark plans to extend its network of carers throughout Yorkshire, the Midlands and across all of the London Boroughs. It estimates that 500 nurses and care workers will be required to facilitate the expansion.

Since its formation in June 2010 Ark has set about establishing a family of home care businesses, as well as launching a new national complex care operation. It’s highly experienced management team – led by former Allied Healthcare managing director Mark Lavery and Care UK Community Care Services finance and commercial director Roy Hastings – has implemented comprehensive quality, training and recruitment strategies. It has also invested significantly in new business administration technologies.  

Having completed and successfully integrated five previous acquisitions, Ark is looking to identify further similar businesses requiring financial and highly experienced management support to enhance their already high standards.  

Anchor’s head of transitions, Andrew Railton added: “Ark and Anchor have worked closely to ensure the smooth transition of operations both for our customers and staff and we are  confident that Ark’s investment will enable the services to thrive.”