Bridgepoint Development Capital (“BDC”) has completed the sale of Solhagagruppen, a leading provider of specialist care services to the high acuity autism and related diagnoses segments, to Ambea, a leading provider of elderly care and disabled care services. As a result of the transaction, Solhaga’s operations will merge with Nytida, the business division within Ambea that focuses on disabled care.

Solhagagruppen provides high-quality, tailored care programmes to over 1,000 service users in more than 110 care facilities. Headquartered in Stockholm, with care facilities in Sweden and Norway, Solhagagruppen offers a broad range of services including adult and children's accommodation, daily activities, schools, diagnostic services and leisure activities.

Solhagagruppen has grown strongly under BDC's ownership as underlying demand in the market has grown, driven by changing demographics, improving diagnosis and awareness of autism as well as increased outsourcing from local authorities. Care facilities and revenues have tripled since 2009 and the business has expanded its geographical presence. This has allowed it to invest significantly in its operating platform, staff training, quality procedures, support functions and systems infrastructure.

Patrik Attemark, CEO of Solhagagruppen, is looking forward to developing the business further within Ambea. He said: "Over the last six years, the group has gone through a business transformation, building a high-quality specialist care provider of scale. With its strong track record of investing in healthcare services and a clear strategy for Solhagagruppen, BDC has been an excellent partner for us. It has allowed us to invest significantly in organisational and staff development, as well as in quality and growth related initiatives with a long term focus. Demand for our services is strong and will continue to be so in the future. With the support of highly motivated and committed employees, we are able to provide individually tailored care programmes to individuals with functional impairments thereby improving their lives, every day."

Johan Dahlfors, Partner at Bridgepoint Development Capital, added: "It's been an honour to work with such a committed team to develop Solhagagruppen into the clear market leader in specialist care within the high acuity autism segment. Driven by a relentless focus on quality, Solhaga has been able to enhance the lives of many individuals."

Ambea shares Solhagagruppen's values and focus on high quality care operations. Together they represent a leading user-focused business with the expertise and resources to offer holistic solutions for local authorities. "Solhagagruppen has a first-class customer reputation. This acquisition is in line with our strategy to further strengthen Ambea's quality focus and grow within the disabled care sector. Combining the expertise of Solhagagruppen and Nytida will benefit the development of disabled care in Sweden, and increases our ability to meet the significant market demand for quality care facilities," said Fredrik Gren, CEO of Ambea.