Southern Cross Healthcare floated on the stock market in July 2006. This was one of the largest Initial Public Offerings in the UK. As a plc, the Company entered the FTSE 250 index in September 2006.

Over the last 12 months the company has grown significantly – largely due to the integration of the Asbourne group of homes.

Our history reflects our ambitious growth plans. The company has expanded rapidly since 1997 through a series of acquisitions and new developments. These have included the Ultima portfolio of 39 homes in April 2001 and the Trinity portfolio of 26 homes in February 2002.

In August 2003, the current management backed by West Private Equity and Healthcare Investments Limited, acquired Southern Cross through a management buy-out (“MBO”.) This was followed in September by a secondary buy-out of the business by the current management together with Blackstone Capital Partners.

In February 2005, the current management together with Blackstone Capital Partners, acquired the Highfield Care Portfolio of 190 homes from NHP. In November 2005 Southern Cross completed the acquisition of the leasehold interest of the Ashbourne Group of care homes. The acquisition of Ashbourne added 10,000 beds to our portfolio.

Looking ahead our strategy is to continue to grow both organically and through acquisition.