Welcome to the latest edition of the Alantra Specialist Care Fast 50 – our annual report ranking of the UK’s fasting-growing, privately owned specialist care businesses. Now in its fifth year, the report recognises the exceptional care and support being delivered by operators across the country and highlights the critical importance of the social care sector.
Against the backdrop of an evolving regulatory environment, labour market challenges, constrained public financings and inflationary cost pressures, these businesses have demonstrated resilience and innovation to enable them to meet growing societal needs.
The businesses featured in the ranking represent the future of the sector – and we are proud to share their stories and shine a spotlight on their success.
Key findings
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Record-breaking growth
The latest Specialist Care Fast 50 cohort have achieved the highest compound annual growth rate in the report’s five-year history – posting an impressive average of 28%. Every business has achieved more than 10% growth, which is a remarkable achievement in a market where revenue typically only grows in line with inflationary fee increases
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Rise of supported living
Commissioner and regulatory demand for community-based services continues to accelerate. New entrants iBC Healthcare and Wellgate Health are leading the way – delivering models of care that support greater independence and better outcomes for individuals with complex care needs
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Innovation driving operational excellence
Operators are increasingly investing in digital transformation technologies such as real-time data reporting and AI tools to improve care delivery models, streamline back-office functions and future-proof their businesses. Effective use of technology is becoming a key value differentiator in the specialist care market
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Resilient High Performers
Orbis Education and Care, Witherslack, Progressive Care, Phoenix Learning & Care and Kedleston Group have appeared in every edition of the Specialist Care Fast 50. Their consistency highlights their unparalleled ability to deliver sustainable growth whilst maintaining high-quality, well-led services
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Sector fundamentals attract institutional investment
Nearly half of this year’s Fast 50 entrants are backed by some form of institutional capital, with Private Equity, Infrastructure Funds and Real Estate Investors increasingly looking to markets with supportive demographic trends and long-term stable cash flows
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Providers to come together?
Could 2025 be the year in which specialist care providers work together to present a united front? The Providers unite campaign, a grassroots campaign for social care providers is growing quickly, and has already had a meaningful impact…
How the Specialist Care Fast 50 Works
The Alantra Specialist Care Fast 50 ranks the UK’s fastest-growing, privately-owned specialist care businesses based on their compound annual revenue growth rate (CAGR) over the past two years.
Eligible companies must be privately owned (including PE-backed and infrastructure-backed businesses), have filed three consecutive years of financial statements, and achieved revenues of more than £4 million in their latest accounts.
The ranking focuses on providers supporting individuals with complex needs – including specialist education, mental health, learning disabilities, autism, and supported living – and highlights the growth, resilience, and impact of leaders across the sector.
