10 Acquisition International - M&A Awards 2017 Award for Continued Excellence in M&A Growth Strategy: £60m second round funding Proton Partners International Ltd Formed by UK-based and international cancer and healthcare specialists, Proton Partners is set to build up to five proton beam therapy cancer treatment centres across the UK within the next four years. The construction of Proton Partners International’s first three centres in Newport (South Wales), Northumberland and Reading is currently underway, and a fourth UK centre, to be built in Liverpool, has recently received planning permission. At each centre, the firm aims to be able to treat up to 500 patients annually and, in addition to proton beam therapy, will offer imaging, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and a range of supportive care services including survivorship and recovery. Mike is keen to explain the firm’s dedication to creating these innovative centres in more detail. “From the outset, at Proton Partners, we knew two things; firstly, that we would build more than one proton centre and, secondly, that we would network the centres together. We knew that nobody had ever done it before, therefore, in my mind, we could never be wrong. A few of the potential investors we spoke to wanted us to just build one centre, build up patient volumes and then build another, followed by another. “This did not make sense to us as the key differentiator to us was the network that we would create. By having a network of centres, supported by centralised planning, the patient can go to any one of our centres for treatment. Therefore, the illness is no longer a barrier to geographical travel which allows the patient more choice and freedom of movement during treatment cycles that could Proton Partners International Ltd is a company in the vanguard of advancing proton beam therapy in the UK. We invited Mike Moran to tell us more about the firm and examine the secrets behind its success. MA170005 take up to nine months to a year. We are already recognised as the world’s largest developer of proton therapy centres. We intend to continue to develop cancer centres in UK and abroad to further expand our network. This will enable us to stay ahead of the competition and continue to be recognised as the global leader in the development and operation of cancer centres.” Staff are vital to the firm’s plans, and as such Mike explains how the firm attracts the very best talent in the market. “When hiring new staff, the attraction to work in the world’s first networked high energy proton beam therapy centres is a big draw. However, from the outset of the business we engaged the services of RWB Global, a Herefordshire based recruitment company, to identify and recruit the staff. I had worked with the Managing Director of RWB Global, Mel Nash, for over a decade and she knows how I work and what works for me. Mel has managed to identify and recruit the very best people and worked with them prior to interview to bring the best fit for the business. The team dynamics across the Company is a major factor in the speed in which the Company is developing. This is in no small part, down to the work of RWB Global in the recruitment process and in the induction to the business. “The culture within the company starts from the recruiting process. We recruit on behaviours and our recruiting partner, RWB Global, have an excellent understanding of the type of person who will work well within the Company. Once recruited, we work with all the staff to induct them successfully into the Company. We have also developed a Leadership Programme which all the staff undertake. This has been developed by the Senior Management Team, facilitated by Ceannas, a Scottish based company who excel in ‘Leadership by Design’. “Additionally, we are also leading the way in Career Professional Development by ensuring that all staff have access to funded courses to further their careers. In addition, we are the first private healthcare company in the UK to offer under graduate and post graduate training for therapists. These initiatives mark us out as a responsible employer which is an attraction to new employees.” “From the outset, at Proton Partners, we knew two things; firstly, that we would build more than one proton centre and, secondly, that we would network the centres together. We knew that nobody had ever done it before, therefore, in my mind, we could never be wrong.” Company: Proton Partners International Ltd Contact: Mike Moran MBE Contact Email:
[email protected] Address: Proton Partners International, Celtic Springs, Spooner Close, Newport, NP10 8FZ Phone: 01633810661 Website: www.proton-int.com