Healthcare law firm Hill Dickinson has advised community interest company Provide Community on the launch of Provide Equipment Hub, an employee-owned organisation dedicated to improving community access to essential equipment and support services in Croydon and its supporting areas.
Previously known as Croydon Community Equipment Service, the service was formerly part of Croydon Council and has now evolved into an independent mutual organisation. The transformation involved the transfer of services, staff and equipment to Provide Equipment Hub, which is jointly owned by Provide Community and an employee benefit trust.
Provide Equipment Hub will work with Provide Community as a key partner to deliver an enhanced, resident-centric service to the local community, ensuring that residents can readily access vital tools for their health and wellbeing. These include wheelchairs and independent living aids designed to meet a wide range of individual needs.
Provide Community was advised by a multidisciplinary legal team at Hill Dickinson, led by Commercial Health partner Jamie Foster, supported on commercial matters by Robert McGough, Christiana Demetriou, Michael Ambrose-Howard, Alex Hollingsworth and Jasmyn Spanswick. Monica Macheng advised on corporate matters, James Atkins on property matters and Hed Amitai from the Private Client team advised on the employee ownership trust. Jay Mehta advised on subsidy control matters. Advice was provided by the Pensions team (Paula Warnock and Frances Bailey) and the Employment Health team (Fiona McLellan and Lucy Miles).
Commenting on the deal, Jamie Foster said: “We were delighted to advise Provide Community on this transaction, which is the latest example of a model in which health and social care businesses transform into employee-owned businesses. The transaction was complex and involved a number of our specialist teams. Karen and the team were fantastic clients to work for.”
Karen Brazier, Head of Contracts and Legal Services at Provide Community, said: “Working with Hill Dickinson on this project has been an excellent experience. Their advice and support throughout the process has been invaluable, particularly given the tight deadlines we all had to work to. Their responsiveness and ability to deliver high-quality work under pressure has been greatly appreciated, ensuring a smooth transition for the launch of Provide Equipment Hub.”
