Growth planned after caredeal

Balhousie Care Group has been bought by an international health care firm in a multi-million-pound deal.

The deal with AcalisCare means Balhousie – which has homes in Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus, among others – and its 1400 staff are now entering an “exciting growth phase”, according to former chair Tony Banks.

The agreement will see Mr Banks, who founded Balhousie 30 years ago, remain as an investor – with the company also retaining its name and its head office in Perth.

Mr Banks said: “After three decades of building Balhousie Care Group, I am extremely proud of what the group and the brand has become, which is a highlyrespected player in the care sector.

“It was hugely important to me that any investment partner we worked with shared Balhousie’s values and aspirations, and I believe AcalisCare does.

“This is the start of an exciting new growth and investment phase for the business, for our staff and for residents.

“It will ensure that the Balhousie brand grows even stronger over the next 30 years.”

Lieven Baten, a partner in AcalisCare and the new Balhousie Care Group chair, said: “Balhousie Care is a natural fit for us and this deal gives us an important foothold in Scotland.”

Balhousie’s 26 current care facilities are home to a combined total of almost 1000 residents.