Oakwood Care Group has acquired three Welsh care homes from Forest Gate Healthcare in a deal that more than doubles the group’s workforce and extends its reach across the South Wales valleys.
The acquisition, backed by a multi-million-pound debt facility from the Development Bank of Wales, adds Oakdale Manor in Blackwood (31 beds), Ty Ross Care Home in Treorchy (38 beds) and Woffington House in Tredegar (36 beds) to the Oakwood portfolio. The three homes bring 105 new bedrooms and lift the group’s total workforce from around 70 to approximately 200 people. The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
Oakwood Care Group was founded in 2023 by chief executive Kuljit Grewal, a former City of London financier, with a stated ambition to “transform the standard of residential care in Wales.” The group already owned Bryngwy Care Home in Powys and Williamston Nursing Home in Pembrokeshire, meaning its portfolio now spans five homes across Wales. Its senior leadership team includes finance director Jacqueline Adams-Hooker, group general manager Pram Grewal and operations manager Nishaan Grewal.
Financial backing from Development Bank of Wales
The Development Bank of Wales (DBW) has been the primary financial partner behind Oakwood’s rapid expansion. The latest funding package – provided through the DBW’s £500 million Wales Flexible Investment Fund – follows two earlier loans from the same facility: a loan in 2024 that supported the purchase of Williamston Nursing Home (a 34-bed award-winning home in Pembrokeshire, bought with a £950,000 DBW loan), and a further loan in 2025 that facilitated the acquisition of Bryngwy Care Home, a 24-bed home in Powys.
The Wales Flexible Investment Fund offers loans, mezzanine finance and equity investments for deals between £25,000 and £10 million, with terms of up to 15 years. The DBW has a track record of backing the care sector in Wales: in the first half of 2021 it invested £4 million in seven Welsh care businesses, and in the 2024/25 financial year it invested £15 million into 14 care providers. Examples include a £2.97 million loan to Oxford Care Group for Bankhouse Care Home in Ebbw Vale, and support for acquisitions such as Cherry Tree Care Home in Caldicot and Gwyddfor Residential Home near Bodedern.
Richard Easton, portfolio executive at the Development Bank of Wales, said Oakwood had “established a strong track record of successfully acquiring and developing care homes while maintaining a clear focus on quality care and resident outcomes”. He described the acquisition as “a significant step forward for the business, safeguarding employment, increasing its reach across Wales and supporting the delivery of high-quality care services to more communities”.
Future plans and community focus
Kuljit Grewal said the acquisition was “a major milestone for Oakwood Care Group and reflects our long-term commitment to providing high-quality care across Wales”. He stressed a “people first” approach: “These are not simply care facilities; they are homes for residents and important parts of their local communities. We are looking forward to working with residents, families and staff across Oakdale Manor, Ty Ross and Woffington House to build on the excellent care already being delivered.”
Grewal also praised the DBW’s role: “Strong, long-term partnerships give businesses like ours the confidence to invest, grow and continue improving services in a rapidly changing care environment. This investment places us in a strong position to continue supporting communities and strengthening care provision across Wales.”
The acquired homes bring distinct characteristics. Oakdale Manor in Blackwood was originally a mining manor house and now provides residential, dementia and respite care; a Care Inspectorate Wales inspection in June 2025 rated its well-being, care and support, environment, and leadership and management as ‘Good’, with an area for improvement noted around staff training for specialist care and promotion of Welsh language and culture. Ty Ross in Treorchy is a purpose-built facility offering nursing and respite care, registered for older person care and mental health conditions. Woffington House in Tredegar is also purpose-built, providing residential, dementia and respite care; a food hygiene inspection in January 2026 rated hygienic food handling and management of food safety as ‘Good’, with cleanliness and condition of facilities rated ‘Generally satisfactory’.
Forest Gate Healthcare was founded more than 25 years ago by Richard Hutchinson, with his son Ian later taking on leadership. The family decided to sell to pursue retirement and other ventures. In a statement they said: “Having started the business over two decades ago, this was an important decision for our family. We are proud of what has been achieved and confident that Oakwood is the right partner to take the business forward.”
Property advisory firm Christie & Co acted for Forest Gate. Oliver McCarthy, director – care at Christie & Co, said: “We are pleased to have facilitated this discreet sale. Forest Gate is a well-established and highly regarded business, and this transaction demonstrates the continued demand for quality care operators. We wish both the Hutchinson family and the Oakwood Care Group every success in their respective future ventures.”
JCP Solicitors’ corporate and commercial property teams advised Oakwood Care Group on the acquisition. Oakwood’s head office is in Maidenhead.
