PCR testing provider unveils £100m acquisition plan

Salutaris People, a British healthcare and testing company that provides rapid PCR testing for airline passengers at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, has announced a £100 million plan to acquire a number of businesses in the healthcare and facilities management sectors over the next three years. 

The company, which is on the UK Government’s list of approved COVID-19 test providers, will develop subsidiaries in COVID-19 testing centres, healthcare recruitment, facilities management, and logistics. It is looking to acquire existing businesses across the UK operating within these sectors with a turnover of between £1 million to £10 million.

In addition to its existing private/corporate testing and PPE supply, Salutaris People will also tender for Government and NHS contracts. Previously, the PPE market has been the subject of intense public and media scrutiny over the awarding of such contracts during the pandemic to businesses with no background in medical or healthcare.

The founders of Salutaris People, who have a combined 30-year proven track record in the healthcare and medical sectors, believe their track record in terms of service, transparency and accountability will put them in good standing for securing both UK and overseas Government contracts.

Salutaris People has also retained one of the UK’s leading corporate finance firms MHA Tait Walker to handle its acquisition growth and corporate finance. Corporate Finance associate partner Lee Humble will work closely alongside Salutaris People and its founder Ross Tomkins to oversee the corporate growth strategy over the next three years. 

Salutaris People CEO and healthcare entrepreneur Ross Tomkins said: “We are delighted to be working with MHA Tait Walker on the corporate expansion plans for Salutrais People. Lee Humble brings a considerable amount of specialist expertise and knowledge to this client relationship, with the backing of a large advisory team in MHA. As an accountant, corporate finance specialist, investor, and business owner, he understands both sides of the relationship, which is really important to us as we start our expansion plans. We aim to channel our combined 30 years of expertise in the healthcare sector to make Salutaris People a global brand. 

“Healthcare recruitment will become a big part of our corporate offering, as we have seen the strain placed on the NHS during the pandemic and how this has then filtered down into the private sector. As many Government contracts in the PPE and COVID testing sectors come under rigorous scrutiny and oversight, we believe Salutaris People will be best placed to facilitate those supply chain contracts due to the very high standards and efficacy we adopt within our business practices.” 

Northumbrian entrepreneur Ross Tomkins has a number of business interests across the Northeast, with a strong focus on healthcare. He is the CEO and founder of Therapy Direct Healthcare, Balmoral Physio and Normedica medical supplies. Lee Humble of MHA Tait Walker said: “We are excited to be working with such a dynamic entrepreneur in Ross Tomkins. Salutaris People has an incredibly exciting future ahead both in the private and public sector, due to the nature of the markets it will operate in.  Ross and his team bring an impressive 30-year track record in the healthcare sector to Salutaris People. This will enable the business to expand its COVID testing capability, develop its healthcare recruitment, facilities management and logistics services. 

“The £100 million three-year acquisition plan is more than achievable given the sectors it plans to operate in, and the high standards operated by the management teams both in situ and yet to join. We have numerous funding channels open to us with a view to facilitating our growth plans and we are already in active dialogue with multiple parties who we see as a great fit.”

Salutaris People plans to open three COVID-19 testing centres in the North East as air travel restrictions are gradually lifted under the traffic light system. It currently has rapid PCR testing suites and a laboratory at Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Wilmslow in Cheshire. 

The company will launch its Newcastle Upon Tyne, Stockton-On-Tees and Sunderland testing suites in July to serve airline passengers wanting to fly from Newcastle International Airport and Teeside airport. 

Both the Salutaris People test suites at Liverpool and Wilmslow provide COVID-19 testing for airline passengers wishing to fly from Manchester International Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.