Bowmark Capital backs £60m MBO of CARE Fertility

CARE was established at the Park Hospital, Nottingham in 1997 by its current management team, including Professor Simon Fishel, an eminent embryologist, and two consultant gynaecologists, Ken Dowell and Simon Thornton. Today the business comprises four full-service IVF clinics in Nottingham, Manchester, Northampton and Sheffield, supported by a network of nine other satellite centres. CARE is now the largest independent fertility provider in the UK employing the largest team of consultants, clinical specialists and embryologists in the sector.

The UK market for fertility services has grown significantly in recent years driven by favourable demographic trends, increasing acceptance and awareness of IVF procedures, improving outcomes and an increase in the addressable population. CARE is now seeking to capitalise on this strong growth by opening several new clinics, the first of which is due to open in Dublin later this year. Thereafter, it is looking to enhance its geographic coverage, particularly in the South East of England.

Bowmark has acquired a significant majority interest in the company, supported by senior debt and working capital facilities from RBS Financial Sponsors and Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets. Bowmark’s knowledge of the healthcare sector, its strong track-record in rolling out specialist care businesses and its reputation for deliverability were key to the success of the transaction.