Wiltshire-based eye and hearing care provider OutsideClinic and its parent company Optimism Health Group have announced the acquisition of Care Opticians for an undisclosed sum.
OutsideClinic, which is headquartered in Swindon, said the deal would allow it to further increase the capacity of its home visit optician services.
Formed in 1995 by chief executive Paul Chapman-Hatchett and chief operating officer Michelle Peel, Care Opticians now operates 12 franchises across England and Scotland.
OutsideClinic said following the agreement it had launched a joint venture ownership structure, similar to Care Opticians’ franchise model, allowing it to form partnerships with “outstanding Optometrists” and strengthen its national coverage.
Mr Chapman-Hatchett will join OutsideClinic as director of strategic partnerships, and will be responsible for developing the company’s work with high street opticians, charities for older people and care providers.
Ms Peel will also become joint venture partnership director and will oversee OutsideClinic’s expansion of its joint venture partnerships with optometrists.
Mr Chapman-Hatchett said: “We are delighted to be joining OutsideClinic and becoming part of the UK’s leading domiciliary eye care provider. Care Opticians will benefit from OutsideClinic’s strong clinical support, excellent technology and market leading customer service.”
The transaction is the latest from healthcare investment firm Optimism Health Group, which acquired Outside Clinic in 2020 and home-visiting optician brand Visioncall last year.
Henry Pitman, chairman of Optimism Health Group, said the firm had taken a further step towards creating “a substantial domiciliary group".
Mr Pitman said: “I have been particularly impressed by the way in which Paul Chapman-Hatchett and Michelle Peel have developed their business and I am delighted they are joining OutsideClinic’s leadership team to help us create the best possible customer experience in the sector.”
Last year OutsideClinic announced it would create 75 new jobs, to add to its already 300-strong workforce, following a 50% increase in demand for its services since the start of 2021.
Optimism Health Group previously said it was aiming to turn its subsidiary into a £100m turnover business over the next five years.
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