10 July 2004 – LAWFUEL – Lawrence Graham has advised Nick Sanderson, founder of successful assisted living business Audley Court, on a joint venture with Anton Bilton, chief executive of the Raven Group.
The new venture vehicle, Raven Audley Court PLC, aims to create a UK-wide portfolio of assisted living centres that respond to increasing demand from older property owners for high quality housing with on-site 24 hour care.
Raven Audley Court will manage two centres of 67 units in Tunbridge Wells and 71 units in Harrogate, currently owned by Sanderson. In addition, approval has been granted for a scheme mixing 600 residential units with offices on part of High Royds Hosiptal in Leeds, where the central hospital building will be converted and extended to provide 83 units and communal facilities. Among other areas marked for development are land in Sevenoaks, Kent, and Flete House near Iveybridge in Devon.
Lawrence Graham corporate partner Hugh Maule, who acted for Nick Sanderson with assistance from solicitor Lorna Mitchell, commented:
“With demographic trends showing a relentless shift to an elderly population, focus on the care of the elderly will sharpen. We have been working with Nick for some time now and are very pleased to be involved with him in a very exciting part of the care sector and to assist him with a project that will offer an added level of security and independence for many UK homeowners.”
Acting for the Raven Group was Michael Thompson of law firm Steptoe & Johnson.