Digital bank, OakNorth, has agreed a £5.5m loan to accelerate the growth of care home services operated by Nottingham-based Care Santé.
Founded in December 2020, Care Santé provides tailored home care services across South Yorkshire, Humberside, East Midlands, Central England, London, and Kent.
The group currently delivers more than 17,000 weekly care hours through its network of branches.
Operating via three brands – Valley Care, Helpers Homecare and Care Santé itself – it specialises in physical, cognitive, and mental health challenges, and long-term or life-limiting illnesses, such as dementia and cancer.
The business is backed by London-based family office, Vitry Enfants, and the £5.5m loan from OakNorth will help its future acquisition pipeline of leading care service providers.
Anna Hodgson, chief executive of Care Santé, said: “We’re deeply committed to supporting people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.
“Over the past four years, Care Santé has grown rapidly to meet rising demand for high-quality, person-centred care.
“OakNorth’s funding will give us the flexibility to pursue strategic acquisitions, enhance our regional infrastructure, and continue building a sustainable, nationally-recognised care platform.”
Ian Fairclough, director of debt finance at OakNorth, added: “Care Santé is an excellent example of a mission-driven business with strong fundamentals, experienced leadership, and a proven operating model.
“We’re delighted to support its next phase of growth as Care Santé continues expanding and strengthening its impact across the UK.”
Pinsent Masons advised OakNorth on the transaction, while Shakespeare Martineau advised Care Santé and Grant Thorntons provided debt advisory.
Hazelwoods advised on the financial due diligence