• Swindon & Wiltshire News
• Thursday February 24 2022
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Royds Withy King shortlisted for prestigious healthcare investor award

Social care lawyers Royds Withy King have been shortlisted for a prestigious award by the influential trade newspaper Health Investor.

The firm has been shortlisted for the Legal Advisers of the Year – Transactional award alongside some of the largest law firms in the UK.

Royds Withy King, with 480 people across offices in London and across the South West has one of the UK’s strongest social care teams acting for residential and specialist care homes, retirement villages and children’s services providers.

The firm is recommended by the Care Association Alliance and a commercial partner to Care England, a trade body for independent care providers.

Health Investor magazine shortlisted the firm for leading on more than 40 transactions with a value exceeding £150m over the past 12 months.

The Health Investor Awards judges also recognise the firm’s commitment to the social care sector with its partnership with ownacarehome.com, a resource for care providers, and its strong relationships with other advisers across the sector.

Hazel Phillips, a corporate partner in the social care team at Royds Withy King said: “We are thrilled to be shortlisted for Health Investor award – they really do showcase the very best advisers in the sector and recognise the valued support law firms provide.

“We have seen a significant lift in sales and acquisitions in the social care sector following the uncertainty of the last two years. It is being driven by providers disillusioned with the sector and some mainstream lenders looking to exit the market.

“On the plus side, there are lots of buyers and plenty of interest from private equity investors. Price expectations do need to be managed, particularly for homes reliant on more expensive agency staff. Sellers looking to go to market are advised to be well prepared as due diligence will be as detailed as ever, particularly around staffing costs and liability.

“We expect levels of mergers, sales and acquisitions to continue throughout 2022.”

Winners of the Health Investors Awards will be announced on 8 June.