Antonia Fong

For Purpose Investment Partners announces the signing of transaction documents to acquire Luson Aged Care and its associated residential aged care assets

March 6, 2023

For Purpose Investment Partners (“FPIP”) is delighted to announce that it has signed agreements to acquire Victorian-based residential aged care provider Luson Aged Care and its three residential aged care facilities and development land (together, “Luson”) from Luson’s existing shareholders.

The acquisition will mark FPIP’s first investment into the aged care sector, which has been a key area of focus for FPIP since its inception in 2018. FPIP is focused on pursuing an aged care strategy that focuses on expanding accessible but affordable offerings in independent living through to residential aged care. Its mission is to develop a model of aged care that achieves excellent health and wellbeing outcomes for residents of all socioeconomic backgrounds, attracts top staff and enables residents to age in place with dignity and choice.

The business and assets acquired will be held by a recently incorporated not-for-profit entity FP Aged Care Australia Ltd (“FPACA”). Funds for the acquisition will come from FPIP’s Social Impact Fund I, FPACA board and management and senior lender NAB. Luson will be the third investment made from the Social Impact Fund I, following on from specialist disability accommodation provider BlueCHP Housing and NDIS meal-delivery business Able Foods.

Luson is a Victorian-based aged care provider, and owns and operates three residential aged care facilities, two in the Geelong region (Eden Park and The Vue) and one in Clyde North, south-east of Melbourne (Bloom). It is also the owner of a development site in Rowville with development approval for another residential aged care site. All three of the existing facilities have been either built or significantly refurbished in the past five years, and all contain single-bed ensuite rooms.

Discussions between FPIP and Luson’s existing shareholders commenced approximately six months, ago and came about as a result of the desire of the existing shareholders to find a new, values-aligned shareholder, with access to capital that would see the business through its next phase of growth, which most importantly will involve the development of the site at Rowville.

Nick Yannopoulos will remain in his role as CEO of the business, which will now also be overseen by a deeply experienced board including Chair Toby Hall (former CEO of St Vincent’s Health Australia and Mission Australia), Louise Greene (leading aged care consultant and former Quality Manager at Southern Cross Care), Matthew Filocamo (former General Manager, Residential Care at RSL LifeCare and Director of Operations at Calvary Health Care) and FPIP Executive Director Chris Yoo (Director of home care provider General Homecare).

There will be no disruption to residents or employees of the business during the transition of ownership, and the business will continue to operate under the Luson brand for the foreseeable future.

The transaction is contingent on receiving the necessary approvals from the Department of Health and Aged Care.

For Purpose Investment Partners Founder and Executive Director Michael Traill said “We are very excited to reach an agreement to acquire Luson, following what has been a multi-year process of looking at various aged care assets to find the right entry point for us into the sector. The aged care sector has had a really tough time over the past few years and we believe that investors like FPIP have an important role to play as stewards of these crucial social assets going forward, ensuring residents get a great experience at an affordable price while also making sure that the business is run in a manner that delivers appropriate risk-adjusted returns for investors and attracts further capital to a sector which badly needs it. The business is in great hands lead by Nick and supported by Toby as Chair, and we will look to support them to grow the business over the long term to create a leading for-purpose operator in the sector, in the mould of what Goodstart is for the early learning sector”.

Incoming FP Aged Care Australia Chair Toby Hall commented “We really like the Luson business and management team, and I’m excited to partner with Nick and FPIP to help build a leading for-purpose provider in the sector. It became clear during the early stages of our due diligence that while relatively small, Luson has the systems and clinical governance processes of a large aged care provider. The three existing facilities are well designed and with all single-bed ensuite rooms, are relevant for today’s aged care consumer”.

Luson CEO Nick Yannopoulos added “We are delighted to have found a new investor that shares the same focus on providing excellent health care outcomes for our residents, as well as providing growth capital to the business. FPIP and the new board members’ depth of experience and commitment to the aged care sector aligns with our vision and values. Our passionate and dedicated staff are looking forward to continuing the journey with FPIP, to provide the Luson experience to more residents who deserve the high level of care that we are intent on delivering every day.”

FPIP were advised by Gilbert + Tobin and PwC, while Luson and its shareholders were advised by Thomson Geer, Deloitte and Amicum.

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About Luson

Luson was started in 2015 as a family owned and operated aged care provider committed to creating a boutique environment that is inspiring and engaging, supporting residents’ independence with professional care and love. Luson’s philosophy is to put people first. By creating a culture that prioritises the needs of residents, their families and Luson’s employees, they can provide the highest standards of care for the greatest quality of life.

About For Purpose Investment Partners (FPIP)

For Purpose Investment Partners is a not-for-profit social impact investment manager, created to pursue an important mission; bringing private sector capital and capabilities into sizeable businesses and projects to create significant social impact.

Media contacts

Victoria Adams (Managing Director, For Purpose Investment Partners)

victoria.adams@fpinvest.com.au

0414 699 598

Toby Hall (Incoming Chair, FP Aged Care Australia)

toby.hall@fpinvest.com.au

0432 130 004

Nick Yannopoulos (CEO, Luson Aged Care)

nick@luson.com.au

0477 886 688

www.luson.com.au

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Acknowledgment of Country

For Purpose Investment Partners acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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We believe that diversity, equity and inclusion at For Purpose Investment Partners are critical in our efforts to create significant social impact. Diversity in the team allows us to better represent the diversity of thought and experiences of the communities that we are aiming to serve, promotes a healthy and thriving working environment, and delivers innovative and sustainable outcomes for our communities, our people, our investors and our partners.