A CARE company which has been named one of the south’s fast growers has expanded into residential homes in the Midlands.

Portland-based Agincare acquired three homes in Derby from Derby City Council.

Agincare has also appeared on a list of the south’s mid-market companies that expanded last year despite the political and economic uncertainty.

Agincare began when founder Derek Luckhurst opened his first care home in Weymouth in 1986 and has always been focused on the south of England.

Chief executive Raina Summerson said: “We already provide domiciliary care and live-in care across the Midlands – from Leominster and Wolverhampton to Staffordshire and Nottingham – so the opportunity to expand our care and nursing home portfolio to Derby was one we didn’t want to miss.

“The city council’s finances are under extreme pressure, so the transfer to Agincare will safeguard the three homes’ future and give residents and team members reassurance. With more than 30 years’ experience of providing high quality, affordable residential care we’re proud to extend them a warm welcome as they join the Agincare family. It feels like the start of an exciting new chapter for the homes and Agincare.”

The new homes are now the northernmost members of Agincare’s portfolio of more than 20 care and nursing homes. They are Foylebank Care Home, formerly Raynesway View; Queensferry Court, formerly Merrill House; and Coleridge House.

Lee Langley, registered manager for Foylebank and Queensferry Court, said: “The future is bright at our new homes and I’m looking forward to working with a fantastic team of staff. There will be investment in the homes to bring them up to the high standard of comfort, style and safety expected of all Agincare’s care and nursing homes. We’ll be keeping residents, relatives and staff updated as work progresses, and we’re looking forward to being at the heart of the local Derby community for a long time to come.”

Agincare, which employs 3,500 people in 50 locations, has been named by BDO in a list of mid-market companies in central southern England which showed strong growth last year.

It was named the third best private sector company to work for in a national table last year drawn up by recruitment website Indeed.