The Cumberland aids growth of Derbyshire Care Group
The Cumberland has supported the growth of a care home operator following the building society’s continued focus on the healthcare sector.
With funding from The Cumberland, Derbyshire Care Group increased its portfolio to five properties across Derbyshire with the acquisition of three new homes.
Providing specialist assisted living for residents with mental health needs, Francis House, St. Elkas, and Spion Kop will now form part of Derbyshire Care Group, joining its existing care homes, Bakewell Cottage and The Old Vicarage, which provide care for the elderly.
In addition to healthcare, The Cumberland offers services to organisations in the food and drink retail and professional services industries, as well as aiding organisations in the hospitality sector.
These services see the building society provide Commercial mortgages, as well as current accounts and savings accounts specifically for businesses, delivered with a personal, human-led focus.*
The Cumberland was seen as the ideal funding partner for Derbyshire Care Group, given it is driven by its Kinder Banking values, with its offering being enhanced by developing strong relationships with its customers to help them achieve their ambitions and support the communities they operate in.
This people-first approach means Commercial customers are supported by a dedicated Relationship Manager who provides tailored guidance and consistent support throughout the lending process and beyond.
It was this which made The Cumberland the perfect fit for Alex Bell, owner of Derbyshire Care Group, as he sought to expand the organisation’s portfolio.
Beginning his career in the care sector in 2000 after recognising a need for higher-quality provision in his local area, Derbyshire Care Group places an emphasis on providing homely environments where residents receive tailored, person-centred care.
He said: “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.”
The newly acquired homes will collectively house 24 residents and are designed to offer assisted living to those with mental health needs alongside 24/7 specialist support.
The care homes will be staffed by around 25 employees providing round-the-clock support and Alex highlighted the importance of experienced managers and staff retention within the sector.
He said: “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.”
With the homes already renowned in the community for the level of care they provide, Alex is looking to fine-tune their services by modernising their systems and investing in the fabric of the buildings.
He said: “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.”
Led by Commercial Business Development Manager Derek Smith, The Cumberland worked closely with Alex and his broker, Stuart Pawelczyk of Business Finance Expert, to develop a funding package which suited his needs.
Alex added: “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
Derek Smith said: “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 completely aligns with Alex’s approach to care and we’re proud to have supported this next stage of growth.”
Stuart added: “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.”
Find out more information on our Healthcare Mortgages.
* Subject to lending criteria. Please refer to The Cumberland’s website for details.