Press Release

Law firm Shoosmiths has advised Countrywide Healthcare Supplies Holdings Limited (Countrywide Healthcare) and its shareholders, including venture capital firm Octopus Ventures, on the sale of Countrywide Healthcare to Personnel Hygiene Services Limited (PHS).

Countrywide Healthcare is a specialist supplier to the healthcare sector with a strong track record that has seen fantastic growth in recent years and the Shoosmiths team (led by corporate partner Alastair Peet, with support from senior associate Gregg Harris and associate Daniel Pugh) is proud to have assisted in achieving the right result for all the shareholders involved.

In getting the deal closed, the Shoosmiths team demonstrated seamless collaboration across the firm’s core areas of expertise, with the disposal to trade buyer PHS marking the culmination of a longstanding working relationship with Countrywide Healthcare that dates back to 2014, when Shoosmiths acted on the original investment from venture capital firm Octopus Ventures.

Alastair Peet, corporate partner at Shoosmiths, commented: “It has been incredibly rewarding to work alongside Countrywide Healthcare for so many years and to witness their journey to this significant milestone. Gregg, myself and the rest of the team at Shoosmiths are thrilled to see such a fantastic outcome and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Alastair and Jeremy, and wish Richard and Sarah continued success in their respective roles as they embark on this new chapter alongside Personnel Hygiene Services."

Corporate is one of Shoosmiths’ key strategic pillars, and across the division, Shoosmiths’ team has bolstered its market-leading credentials and reputation for excellence in mid-market M&A, advising on over 400 transactions each year and Shoosmiths' venture capital (VC) team has been recognised as the most active law firm advising on VC transactions for three consecutive years (according to PitchBook’s global league tables).