The Order of St John Care Trust, a charity providing residential and nursing care to older people, has bought a private care home provider for an undisclosed sum.
The charity has acquired Elmfield Care, which offers residential dementia and respite care for almost 200 residents in three care homes in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
It comes after the charity announced in February that it had merged with The Fremantle Trust, a charity that provided social care for older people and adults with learning disabilities.
OSJCT declined to say how much was spent on the Elmfield acquisition, saying it was commercially sensitive.
It said that once Elmfield Care’s operating costs had been paid for, any residual profit generated by the company would be donated to OSJCT and reinvested into care and its colleagues.
The charity has more than 4,400 employees and Elmfield Care has 85 members of staff. OSJCT said no redundancies were made as a result of the acquisition.
OSJCT recorded a total income of £146.8m for the year to the end of March 2023, according to its latest accounts filed with the Charity Commission.
Dan Hayes, chief executive of OSJCT, said: “This acquisition opens doors to a wealth of opportunities for the wider organisation. It grants us access to innovative management practices and advances in building design and will provide invaluable insights into other examples of best practice.
“As a not-for-profit care provider, it strengthens our financial foundation, empowering our charity to better serve those for whom we care.”
Hayes said Elmfield Care “exemplifies the highest standards of care and values”, which were shared by OSJCT.
“Existing residents can be safe in the knowledge that they will continue to be supported by an organisation with an excellent track record,” he said.
Chris Babington, former chief executive of Elmfield Care, said: “I am delighted that the combination of our purpose-built, energy efficient homes and management systems with the strong values and ethos of OSJCT will ensure fantastic outcomes for our residents and team members alike.”