Ernest Wilson, a Leeds-based agency that buys and sells UK businesses, has appointed care homes specialist Jason Payne as a valuer to expand the company’s activity in the sector, which is a growth area for the business.

Payne joins the firm from a national care homes advisor where he was a senior valuer and managed the sale of numerous care homes. He has worked across residential care and nursing homes, as well as those for people with learning difficulties, mental health and complex care needs.

Managing director Paul Williamson said: “Ernest Wilson is already regularly involved in the sale of care homes, which by its nature is a complex process that has to be fully approved by the Care Quality Commission and he will be an asset to the business as we increase our activity to meet the growing demand in this highly regulated sector. Finding a buyer for a care home is only part of the sales process; helping to secure finance for prospective purchasers is also vital and that’s an area in which Ernest Wilson also has a hugely successful track record.”

Payne added: “Buying and selling care homes is naturally on the rise as the sector expands to accommodate and care for our ageing population. Needless to say, it is essential that owners or potential buyers of a care home seek the very best advice in order to navigate the highly complex process and ensure everything is carried out with the utmost professionalism.”

Acquired by property consultant Eddisons in 2019, Ernest Wilson was founded in 1956 and specialises in buying and selling hundreds of small businesses every year, from care homes and day nurseries to caravan parks and garden centres.