Investment consortium acquires Spire Healthcare for one billion pounds

A group of investment firms has agreed to buy Spire Healthcare for about £1 billion, taking the company off the London stock market. The deal was announced in September 2024. Shareholders will receive 250 pence per share, which is 66% more than the share price in May 2024. The buying group said Spire's property was worth more than its share price showed, and that private ownership would allow better long-term investment. Spire runs 38 hospitals and more than 55 clinics across England, Wales, and Scotland. Chief Executive Justin Ash will retire after nine years with the company. Shareholders holding 53.4% of the stock have agreed to support the deal. The board spent about eight months speaking with more than 60 possible buyers before reaching this agreement.