A PROVIDER of fostering services and care homes for troubled children is planning major expansion in the north west after a '14m management buy-in deal.

Nick Christodoulou, who built up Primrose Care before selling it to BUPA in 1999, has joined Advanced Childcare as chief executive and has two goals for the Bredbury-based company.

He says: 'This is a management buy-in with a difference, none of the directors have left, we have strengthened the management team. Riz Khan has become development director and will lead the expansion.

'I am now focused on two targets ' improving the quality of the services we have already provide and growing the business initially in Greater Manchester and then into the Midlands and north east.'

Nominated

Advanced Childcare was nominated for one of the M.E.N. Business of the Year Awards in 2002 and runs seven residential homes in and around Manchester.

It has recently launched a fostering arm, Family Placement Services, which it also intends to expand. It also operates two schools for children with special educational needs, with a total of 36 places.

The '4m-turnover company has grown due to the increased demand for high quality private facilities from local authorities, including Manchester city council.

Mr Christodoulou, 43, said: 'Advanced Childcare has grown strongly in recent years and offers an unparalleled range of services, providing care and education to children from primary school age through to semi-independence.

"We will be looking to open more schools and homes across new regions in the near future. We want to double the size of the business in the next five years.'

Mr Christodoulou said he expects all areas of the business to grow. 'Fostering for example is a major growth area. Nationally there is a shortage of around 10,000 foster carers.

We are looking to recruit and train people, but it is obviously a lengthy process, with all the checks and training, you have to be ultra-careful.'

Clearwater Corporate Finance in Manchester advised Advanced. Tweet