Health solutions provider Handl Group has acquired the IPRS Group (Injury, Prevention and Rehabilitation Services) for an undisclosed sum.
The deal will see Suffolk-based IPRS Group’s four brands become part of the Lancashire-based firm’s portfolio.
These include:
- IPRS Health – which offers physiotherapy, mental health and wellbeing for the insurance, corporate, NHS and occupational health sectors;
- IPRS Mediquipe – a distributor of Biodex functional assessment, rehabilitation equipment and training to elite sports, universities and the NHS;
- IPRS Aeromed – a supplier of paramedic led, medical repatriation and other specialist services;
- PFAS – an independent provider of medical assessments delivered in-house using specialist health practitioners.
The firm’s client base includes Aviva and QBE in insurance, as well as Vitality, ATOS, SERCO, and the NHS.
Handl Group said all trade will continue under the existing brands and all 300 IPRS Group employees will remain with the company – as will senior management. This includes CEO Martyn Jackson, who will report to Handl Group CEO Graham Pulford, and will continue to lead the company.
Pulford (pictured) said: “This is a significant growth opportunity that will give us additional scale and new distribution channels in private medical insurance (PMI), as well as elite sport, an IPRS Group specialism. It will also further cement the relationships Handl Group currently has with the UK insurance industry.
“It is the biggest acquisition Handl Group has completed to date, and we intend to support IPRS Group’s ambitious growth plans through additional investment, access to the skilled people at Handl and also the acceleration of their already advanced digital offerings.
“The group already has a proven model of growth and is poised to further enhance its market presence following a number of contract wins this year, both renewals and new business. There will also be a definite opportunity to sell the unique services of IPRS to existing Handl customers.”
Jackson added: “It was quickly apparent from my discussions with Graham and the team that Handl Group will be the best possible custodian for our company and our clients.”
“Their focus on people plus technology closely mirrors our own approach, and new investment in our capabilities as a result of this deal will take IPRS Group to a new level of growth.
“I am particularly excited by the opportunities for further work in the public sector, where our scale and strengthened capabilities and infrastructure will open up opportunities to bid for larger government contracts.”