Care Home Groups - The Largest Care Home Providers in the UK
Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes
There are around 457,000 care home beds across 15,000 care homes in England, and around 536,000 registered beds in the UK as a whole.
While many homes are independently run, a large number sit within care home groups or providers. Here, we’ve shared the UK’s six biggest care home providers, based on the number of homes they operate, including Care UK and HC One.
Many of these care home operators offer meaningful careers in care as well. For anyone searching for a new care role, check out Florence - a marketplace that connects carers with available jobs.
Kickstart your care search
Find the best care homes in your area through Lottie.
In this article on care home groups:
- How many care home providers are there?
- Who are the largest care home providers in the UK?
- UK occupancy rates
The Number of Care Home Providers
Roughly 17,900 organisations provided or organised some form of adult social care in England across 2021/22.
In the UK alone, GOV.UK has estimated the care home sector to be worth around £15.9 billion a year across 410,000 residents. This trickles down to around 5,500 different UK care providers - and this number is constantly rising.
Around 95% of these beds are found within the independent sector, while the rest are run by local councils.
Who are the Largest Care Home Providers in the UK?
Here are the UK’s six biggest care home providers:
- HC-One (275 care homes across approximately 8,113 beds)
- Barchester Healthcare (214 care homes across approximately 6,313 beds)
- Bupa (154 care homes across approximately 4,543 beds)
- Care UK (152 care homes across approximately 4,484 beds)
- Avery Healthcare (103 care homes across 8,549)
- Four Seasons Health Care (100 care homes across approximately 2,950 beds)
Source: CQC Data November 2024
According to the Social Care Institute for Excellence, the average number of beds per care home is 29.5. We’ve used this figure to estimate how many beds each of these operators has.
We’re here to help you find the right care home for you or your loved one. You can request a free list of care homes from our care experts, who will then share homes matching your budget, location and type of care needed. You can also search for a care home through our easy-to-use directory.
1. HC-One
Overview
HC-One was founded in 2011 and has care homes across England, Wales and Scotland. HC-One is commonly known as the UK’s largest care home operator.
James Tugendhat is the Chief Executive of HC-One. Before joining HC-One, James worked across a variety of sectors, having started his career in financial services before moving into leadership roles within the care sector.
More recently, James led the European and international division of the US-based childcare provider Bright Horizons. He also spent several years with Bupa and has been President and CEO of Boston-based Health Dialog.
How full are their homes?
In 2020, HC-One’s average occupancy rate stood at 88.4%. From 2011 to 2016, this occupancy rate increased, reaching a peak of 93% in 2016.
Revenue and profitability
In 2020, the annual revenue of HC-One Limited reached almost £340 million. This figure has been steadily rising since 2016.
| HC-One Stats and Information: | |
|---|---|
| Number of Care Homes in the UK | Approximately 275 |
| Estimated Number of Beds | Approximately 8,113 |
2. Barchester Healthcare
Overview
Barchester Healthcare has expanded to provide care to over 13,000 residents across more than 200 care homes in the UK.
Over the last 5 years, Barchester has opened 19 new care homes providing person-centred care, 1 hospital and 3 small retirement communities. Today, they have more than 17,000 staff.
The CEO of Barchester Healthcare is Dr Pete Calveley. He has held this position since 2014. Pete Calveley has worked in the care industry for over 25 years. His background is rooted in health, having trained as a doctor before going on to work as a GP for 20 years.
Care home costs
Our internal data shows the average weekly care home cost of a Barchester Healthcare bed in the UK is £1,426 for residential care and £1,636 for nursing care.
Revenue and profitability
The annual revenue of Barchester Healthcare Limited reached over £633 million in 2020. From 2015 to 2019, Barchester’s turnover steadily increased.
| Barchester Healthcare Stats and Information: | |
|---|---|
| Number of Care Homes in the UK | Approximately 214 |
| Estimated Number of Beds | Approximately 6,313 |
Our Barchester care homes
Here are a few of Barchester's care homes that we list:
Care homes in Wokingham such as West Oak.
Care homes in Exeter such as Lucerne House.
Care homes in Cheltenham such as Badgeworth Court.
3. Bupa
Overview
Bupa is a leading international healthcare group that runs health centres, hospitals and more, as well as over 150 care homes in the UK alone. Our 2024 Care Seeker Survey found Bupa to be the best-known care home brand in the UK, with 46% of people being aware of them.
Bupa homes cover a range of care types, including residential, nursing, dementia, respite, convalescent care and palliative care.
Bupa Group CEO Inaki Ereno is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the business. Inaki became CEO at the beginning of 2021, having joined the company in 2005 and held several different leadership roles in the years in between.
James Lenton is Bupa Group’s Chief Financial Officer. James joined in September 2021 and formally became Group CFO in November 2021. Prior to joining Bupa, James was CFO of Hammerson plc and of AIG’s European Group before that.
Care home costs
Our internal data shows the average weekly cost of a Bupa care home bed in the UK is £1,222 for residential care and £1,460 for nursing care.
Revenue and profitability
In 2021, Bupa’s revenue of £12.9 billion was up 8% from 2020. Profit before taxation of £423 million was up 7% from 2020.
| Bupa Stats and Information: | |
|---|---|
| Number of Care Homes in the UK | Approximately 154 |
| Estimated Number of Beds | Approximately 4,543 |
Our Bupa care homes
Here are a few of Bupa's care homes that we list:
Care homes in Dartford such as Eglantine Villa.
Care homes in Esher such as Arbrook House.
Care homes in Dorset such as The Links.
4. Care UK
Overview
With 40+ years of experience, Care UK has over 150 care homes and over 4,000 beds - including nursing homes and residential homes. This range makes it easy to find the right care for your loved one's care needs. Care UK is the most awarded care home group across the last two years and has more ‘Outstanding’ Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated care homes than any other provider.
Care UK employs over 10,000 members of staff across England, Scotland and Wales.
The CEO of Care UK is Andrew Knight. Andrew joined Care UK in 2014 before becoming CEO in 2018. COO Martin Friend joined Care UK in 2022. Martin worked as Operations Director and Chief Operating Officer of Nuffield Health before joining Care UK.
Care home costs
Our internal data shows the average weekly cost of a Care UK bed is £1,517 for residential care and £1,784 for nursing care.
Revenue and profitability
For the full 12 months to 30th September 2020, Care UK reported total revenue as £401 million, compared to £735.6 million in 2019.
| Care UK Stats and Information: | |
|---|---|
| Number of Care Homes in the UK | Approximately 152 |
| Estimated Number of Beds | Approximately 4,484 |
Our Care UK care homes
Here are a few of Care UK's care homes that we list:
Care homes in Godalming such as Jubilee House.
Care homes in Kingston upon Thames, London such as Sherwood Grange.
Care homes in Stansted Mountfitchet such as Mountfitchet House.
5. Avery Healthcare
Overview
Avery Healthcare was founded in 2005 by John Strowbridge and Ian Matthews. Today, they’re led by CEO Jeremy Richardson, and have a team consisting of over 10,000 hardworking staff members. Avery Healthcare has a portfolio of over 100 care homes, along with four independent retirement homes.
The Avery Collection launched on the 1st of June 2023. This expansion added 29 high-quality care homes to their portfolio, repositioning them as the 5th biggest care home operator in the UK.
Care home costs
Our internal data shows the average weekly cost of an Avery Healthcare bed is £1,403 for residential care and £1,641 for nursing care.
| Avery Healthcare Stats and Information: | |
|---|---|
| Number of Care Homes in the UK | Approximately 103 |
| Number of Beds | 8,549 |
Our Avery Healthcare care homes
Here are a few of Avery Healthcare's care homes that we list:
Care homes in Birmingham such as Albion Court.
Care homes in Leeds such as Aire View.
Care homes in Corby such as Glenmoor House.
6. Four Seasons Health Care
Overview
With a network of 100+ care homes across England and Scotland, Four Seasons Health Care (FSHC) employ approximately 9,000 team members who provide long-term and respite care.
The Four Seasons management team includes Jacqui Ritchie (Managing Director) and Richard Stelmach (Director of Information Technology).
Care home costs
Our internal data shows the average weekly cost of a Four Seasons Health Care bed in the UK is £1,109 for residential care and £1,213 for nursing care.
| Four Seasons Health Care Stats and Information: | |
|---|---|
| Number of Care Homes in the UK | Approximately 100 |
| Number of Beds | Approximately 2,950 |
Our Four Seasons care homes
Here are a few of Four Seasons' care homes that we list:
Care homes in Harrow such as Lansdowne.
Care homes in Chatteris such as Swan House.
Care homes in Wigan such as Shawcross.
UK Occupancy Rates
Here, you can see how occupancy rates in UK care homes (which we’ve been comparing to the largest care home providers) have changed from 2006 to 2021:
| Year | Occupancy Rate |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 79% |
| 2020 | 80.1% |
| 2019 | 87.9% |
| 2018 | 88.9% |
| 2017 | 89.4% |
| 2016 | 89.2% |
| 2015 | 88.4% |
| 2014 | 88.3% |
| 2013 | 87.6% |
| 2012 | 87.2% |
| 2011 | 87.8% |
| 2010 | 87.2% |
| 2009 | 87.7% |
| 2008 | 88.9% |
| 2007 | 88.8% |
Source: Statista
Additional Sources Used
CQC Data January 2023 - Number of England care home beds
Public Health Scotland Care Home Census - Number of Scotland care home beds
Care Home Commissioning for Older People - Number of Wales care home beds
RQIA report - Number of Northern Ireland care home beds
Lottie matches care seekers with the best care homes for their needs. You can request a free care home shortlist from our care experts, who will share homes matching your budget, location and type of care needed. You can also search for a care home through our easy-to-use directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest care home group in the UK?
The largest care home group in the UK is HC-One. They operate over 200 care homes, with these containing over 8,000 beds in total.
What is a care home team?
A care home team comprises several experts who will ensure your loved one receives an exceptional standard of care. This team will include a care home manager, a deputy manager and care workers. This team may also include registered nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and activity coordinators.
How many care home operators are there in the UK?
According to CQC data from May 2023, there are over 14,800 care homes in the UK. Meanwhile, GOV.UK estimates there are around 5,500 different care home operators across these homes. Around 95% of the total care home beds in the UK are provided by private sector organisations (such as independent companies and charitable organisations).
Do the NHS own care homes?
Most care homes are privately owned by independent companies such as Bupa and HC-One. However, some care homes are run by a combination of NHS foundation trusts, charitable organisations and local authorities.
