Australian pensions giant buys learning disability care provider Care Management Group

One of the leading care providers for people with learning disabilities in the UK, Care Management Group (CMG), has been bought by Australian fund manager, AMP Capital, in a deal thought to be around £200m.

Care Management Group (CMG) was established in 1996 by a parent of a person with learning disabilities. It supports people with particularly complex needs, including autism, mental health needs, challenging behaviour, profound and multiple learning disabilities and associated complex health needs.

CMG runs 61 care homes for adults, as well as children’s residential settings, outreach and home care, day care and supported living.

Court Cavendish, the specialist health and social care turnaround company was brought in to assist CMG back in 2008 when CMG was on the verge of bankruptcy and struggling with high levels of debt and poor quality care ratings.

Dr Chai Patel, owner of Court Cavendish said: “I am really proud of what we have achieved at CMG. This is the result of the immense commitment and hard work of colleagues across the organisation - over many years.

“The strong leadership provided by the Board and the Senior Management of the company has been critical to the success of this first full Court Cavendish turnaround. I am so delighted that AMP Capital has acquired CMG because AMP Capital share our values and priorities. I am hugely confident that CMG will continue to thrive under their ownership.”

AMP Capital entered the UK specialist care market a year ago when it bought The Regard Group.

Ruben Bhagobati, a partner at AMP Capital, said: “Our investment in CMG is consistent with our strategy of investing in essential services and complementary with our prior investment in Regard, particularly the emphasis on high quality care provision and a culture of supporting service users.

“We will continue to target opportunities for growth, including the development of new services where they are needed by individuals and communities, and offering staff an increased range of career development pathways.”

Rothschild & Co and Pinsent Mason were advisers to Court Cavendish during the acquisition process.