In this episode of the Care CEO Success Stories, Adam James of Springup PR talks with Laura Taylor, CEO of Berkley Care, which operates 12 luxury care homes across eight counties in England.

Laura joined Berkley in 2021, became CEO in September 2023, and in March 2024 helped lead a management team buyout of operations from Clariane, a European health care provider.

Laura has worked in health and social care throughout her entire career and in this episode she shares the story of her life working in care and offers her advice on management buyouts drawing on her own experiences including:

• The timeframe of the management buyout and the support Laura received from different partners.

· The “significant opportunity” to take a real ownership of the business, rather than working as a senior executive team.

* How Laura delivered “challenging” management presentations to potential future investors How Berkley has grown from 6 to 12 homes during Laura’s tenure.

· Laura’s partnership with real estate investors Elevation Healthcare Properties which was about the financial benefits in terms of the acquisition and also the “cultural fit between the organisations.”

• The “terrifying and emotionally tough” process of undertaking a management buyout.

• How it was a “big risk, with big reward” strategy to be your own boss and making decisions about the future of the business.

• How it has been “extremely empowering” - and the passion Laura has about the care and support they provide residents.

• The benefits of working with a real estate investor who wants to have a good quality operator in place.

• Laura’s aspirations to grow the business and improve development opportunities and new builds to keep delivering Berkley Care across the UK.

• Tips on financing to acquire operating companies and giving confidence in revenue projections and business performance that underpin decision-making.

• Using detailed modelling to ensure your ability to repay finance and meet commitments.

• Providing executive coaching and offering a confidential sounding board for navigating challenges.

• Having a strong alignment between the management team members which reinforces focus and resilience.

• The importance of internal communication which ensures clarity and stability by explaining the reasons for the buyout and the future vision to the team.

• How Laura shifted from functional leadership to shared accountability and project-based operations.

• Developing and began implementing a growth strategy and how you should “expect an emotional journey with highs and lows.”