08.03.16
Outcomes First Group expands through merger with Options Group
Sovereign Capital, the UK private equity Buy & Build specialist, is pleased to announce that Outcomes First Group has merged with Options Group to create one of the UK’s largest providers of specialist care and education to children and adults. The combined group will look after c.700 children and young adults across services ranging from special schools, residential care, colleges and specialist fostering.
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Sovereign originally backed the platform, Hillcrest, in May 2013 which subsequently became part of the newly created Outcomes First Group. Hillcrest runs 16 specialist children’s care homes in England as well as specialist day schools to support the homes. Hillcrest also operates Hillingdon Manor and Baston House day schools which together provide over 200 places for children with Autism or Aspergers.
Options runs 29 facilities for children and adults with specialist care needs predominantly in Yorkshire and Humberside, West Midlands and Wales. The merger offers a real opportunity to build upon the strong foundations both businesses have established, expanding the services offered to a national level. These include care and education for looked after children, the introduction of a pathway for children and young adults ranging from residential and day schooling through to college provision and residential care.
Graham Baker, CEO of Options, will head the Group. Graham, who has been CEO of Options since 2012, will be supported by Roger Colvin. Roger, CEO of Outcomes First, becomes Group Chairman. Both Graham and Roger have a wealth of experience and together with the wider management team, will lead the Group as it moves forward.
We are extremely pleased to be merging with Outcomes First Group. Our organisations share values, aspirations and a vision for the future. This is both a tremendous opportunity and natural progression for Options that will benefit our service users, our Local Authority partners and importantly our staff.
Graham Baker, Group CEO
This is a significant step which both expands our offering and geographic reach. By coming together, we will have a stronger and more responsive organisation that will be even better placed to serve the education and care needs of service users and commissioners across the areas in which we operate.
Roger Colvin, Group Chairman
Dominic Dalli, Partner
We are delighted to see both of these businesses transition to the next level in this highly specialist sector. We will continue to support the combined management team, which has considerable strength and depth, to develop the services offered whilst ensuring the quality of care provided remains at the heart of the Group’s offering.
