Darwin Group, the Shropshire-based provider of Modern Methods of Construction buildings for healthcare and education, has secured ‘significant funding’ from Kartesia, a European specialist provider of capital solutions for mid-sized companies.
The UK specialist in offsite modular construction projects says its ‘innovative, high-specification’ modular systems can be rapidly deployed ‘in demanding environments’, making it ‘well positioned to continue to support NHS Trusts in delivering new healthcare facilities across the UK’. Darwin Group has recently been successfully re-appointed to the NHS Shared Business Services Modular Building Framework, and secured a place on the Department of Education Schools Construction Framework. These complement other key framework partnerships, including the NHS Commercial Solutions and the Crown Commercial Services.
Over the past 18 months Darwin has successfully delivered over 700 acute and critical care beds for the NHS as a turnkey main contractor. This included ‘the record-breaking’ design and construction of a 10,000 m2, three-storey building for University Hospital Wales, completed in just five months from initial client instruction.
Kartesia’s funds will support the company’s management team in delivering its ambitious organic growth plans, including significant further investment in its manufacturing facilities, which is expected to deliver a significant number of new jobs for the local area. Additional growth capital will further accelerate the implementation of the management’s strategic plans.
Richard Pierce, Darwin Group CEO, said: “Our team has put in a huge amount of effort to build this business and lay the platform for future growth. As a result, it was critical for us to find a partner like Kartesia, which shares our ambition, enthusiasm, and values, and has the same level of excitement in our vision for the future. Its funding will allow us to invest heavily in the business, further increasing our capacity to deliver the industry-leading product and service NHS Trusts can expect from a Darwin solution.”
Darwin was advised by Darren Boocock and Andy Moody at Deloitte Corporate Finance, Tim Lake at DLA Piper (legal), and Dan Packwood at PwC (tax). Financial and tax diligence was undertaken by Grant Thornton, while CIL Management Consultants carried out commercial due diligence. Kartesia was advised by Proskauer Rose.
The photo shows the three-storey building designed and constructed by Darwin Group for the University Hospital Wales Lakeside Wing – a step-down facility for patients undergoing essential rehabilitation after a period of acute illness.
