Sovereign backs UK's leading provider of back to work occupational physiotherapy

Sovereign Capital, the UK private equity Buy & Build specialist, is pleased to be extending its employability and healthcare expertise with the £10m Management Buy-out of RehabWorks Limited, the UK's market leading provider of physiotherapy led, back to work rehabilitation services.

Established in 1999, RehabWorks treats individuals with long-term, musculoskeletal disorders from its centralised triage function and its 19 rehabilitation centres across the UK together with a national network of associate physiotherapists. The Company has a strong blue chip client base that includes Aviva, Sainsbury's, BT, Honda and Royal Mail as well as public sector clients, such as emergency services and local authority customers, that all benefit from either onsite services or access to quality assured, nearby clinics.

While employees are able to improve their physical and mental wellbeing, RehabWorks' clients benefit from a healthier workforce and the cost savings from reduced sick pay and temporary cover: for example, a programme for Royal Mail demonstrated that for every £1 the client spent on the service, RehabWorks saved them £3.

RehabWorks has built an enviable reputation in the market for its strong clinical governance by adopting an evidence based model, setting the business apart from its competitors. The Company's 72 staff, including 60 full time physiotherapists, effectively triage individuals with chronic and acute disorders before delivering a focused physiotherapy programme designed to return them to work.

Sovereign is backing a highly regarded team led by Chief Executive Lutgen Terblanche who, following an early career in sports rehabilitation, has been instrumental in growing the business with the support of Operations Director Mark Armour.  Nicky Hunter, who has attained a number of industry accolades, will continue in her role as Clinical Director. Sovereign is augmenting the board with the appointments of Stephen Lambert (previously Chief Executive Officer of Oasis Healthcare PLC) as Non-Executive Chairman and Richard Warner (previously Finance Director of Grosvenor Health) as Finance Director.

Commenting on the transaction, Ryan Robson, Managing Partner at Sovereign said: "We are delighted to be extending our experience in outsourced employability services into the field of occupational health and backing a highly regarded business that delivers positive outcomes for its broad client base and their employees."

Lutgen Terblanche, Chief Executive of RehabWorks added: "With Sovereign's financial and strategic support we look forward to developing our evidence based mental health offering to support our established physiotherapy programmes in addition to exploring related, outsourced rehabilitation and back to work services."

The Management Buy-out has been supported with facilities provided by HSBC.