Hampshire: Blake Lapthorn's expertise is key in sale of care provider

A provider of home care services which was started by two couples has been sold to an American company in a multi-million-pound deal. 

Lawyers from Blake Lapthorn advised on the sale of Bluebird Care, headquartered in Petersfield, Hampshire, to Florida-based Interim Healthcare.

Bluebird Care was set up by Paul and Lisa Tarsey and Simon and Julie Dalziel in 2004 as a small care provider offering a range of services from short visits to full live-in support for the severely disabled.

The company became a franchising operation and now has 180 offices across the UK and Republic of Ireland. It works with social services, GPs and commissioning groups and has a reputation for high-quality care and customer services.

The acquisition means Interim Healthcare now has more than 500 franchise locations delivering care at home or in facilities to clients in six countries.

The Tarseys and Simon Dalziel will remain with Bluebird Care, which will keep its brand identity and continue to be run from its head office in Petersfield.

A team of Blake Lapthorn lawyers led by corporate finance partner James Hawkeswood advised on all the legal aspects of the deal.

Hawkeswood said: “We were delighted to be able to advise on this sale - it was a great deal for a successful Hampshire business which has grown to be a genuine national player.

“As well as applying our trusted experience in helping entrepreneurs realise the value of their businesses, it was particularly pleasing in this instance that we were able to apply our recognised expertise in relation to both the franchising and health and care sectors. This all helped ensure a smooth sale for the founders of Bluebird Care.”

A key player in the team was Blake Lapthorn’s head of franchising, Sheilah Mackie, who is an affiliate of the British Franchise Association (BFA) and was the first solicitor in the UK to obtain the BFA’s Qualified Franchise Professional qualification.

Simon Dalziel said: “We were delighted with the advice and efficient service from Blake Lapthorn, who guided us carefully through the detailed legal process. They had a good understanding of our business and our aims and objectives which ensured a successful conclusion."

Paul Tarsey added: “The Blake Lapthorn team was hugely important to us in the process. Their patience with our questions and their professionalism throughout the process were superb.

“Bluebird Care has created exciting and profitable opportunities for its franchise network. This merger can only increase opportunities and put the company in a much stronger position to meet the challenges of the changing UK care market. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with Interim to expand care at home across the continents.”