The Cumberland has backed the expansion of Derbyshire Care Group as part of its continued focus on lending to the healthcare sector.
With funding from the building society, Derbyshire Care Group has increased its portfolio to five properties across Derbyshire following the acquisition of three additional care homes.
The newly acquired homes — Francis House, St. Elkas and Spion Kop — provide specialist assisted living for residents with mental health needs. They now sit alongside the group’s existing homes, Bakewell Cottage and The Old Vicarage, which focus on care for the elderly.
Alongside healthcare, The Cumberland provides services to organisations operating across food and drink retail, professional services and hospitality. This includes commercial mortgages, as well as current and savings accounts for businesses, delivered through a relationship-led approach.
LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS
The building society was viewed as a suitable funding partner due to its emphasis on long-term relationships and its Kinder Banking values, with commercial customers supported by a dedicated relationship manager throughout the lending process and beyond.
This approach appealed to Alex Bell, owner of Derbyshire Care Group, as he sought to expand the organisation’s portfolio.
Bell entered the care sector in 2000 after identifying a lack of higher-quality provision in his local area. Since then, the business has focused on creating homely environments and delivering tailored, person-centred care.
He says: “When I first entered the sector I could see that the level of care being provided locally wasn’t always where it needed to be. I wanted to create homes that were truly personal, where residents are known and understood as individuals.
“Care isn’t just about buildings, it’s about people. Our teams build deep relationships with residents, understand what makes them comfortable, and help them to live as independently as possible. Good staff and strong leadership are absolutely essential.”
ASSISTED LIVING
The three newly acquired homes will collectively accommodate 24 residents and are designed to provide assisted living for people with mental health needs, supported by 24/7 specialist care. Around 25 staff will be employed across the sites, delivering round-the-clock support.
Bell highlighted the importance of experienced managers and staff retention within the sector, adding that the homes already have strong reputations within their local communities.
He says: “These three specialist homes already had a strong standard of care in place, which is what first attracted me to them. Our priority now is to maintain that quality, modernise systems, invest in technology, and enhance the homes further over the coming years.”
FUNDING PACKAGE
The funding package was arranged by The Cumberland’s commercial business development manager, Derek Smith, who worked closely with Bell and his broker, Stuart Pawelczyk of Business Finance Expert, to structure a solution that met the group’s requirements.
Bell says: “The Cumberland really understood our vision. They didn’t just look at numbers, they looked at the people, the residents, the staff, and the journey we are on.
“From the outset, The Cumberland were proactive and supportive. Derek and the wider team were professional, straight to the point and focused on getting the right outcome for everyone involved.”
Smith states: “We’re thrilled to aid Derbyshire Care Group in expanding their portfolio, enabling them to deliver a high level of care to those who need it. Demand for specialist, high-quality care continues to grow and operators like Alex play a vital role within their communities.
“Our approach to commercial banking is rooted in relationships and understanding the people behind a business. This aligns closely with Alex’s approach to care and we’re proud to have supported this next stage of growth.”
Pawelczyk adds: “Given what Alex was looking to achieve with the addition of the new homes, The Cumberland, with their emphasis on relationships and a more flexible approach, were a natural fit.
“Derek and I worked on the delivery of a bespoke funding package to support Alex with his growth aspirations, and The Cumberland delivered, allowing Alex to acquire the new homes seamlessly.”
