NEWCASTLE law firm Hay & Kilner has assisted Danieli Holdings on the sale of subsidiary business, Careline Homecare, as part of its ambitious growth plans to create 200 jobs in the North East.

Careline was acquired by national care provider City & County Healthcare Group for an undisclosed sum.

Danieli will now concentrate on opening short-break holiday developments for adults under the age of 65 who need round-the-clock care.

Under the banner of Northridge Care, the firm is gearing up for the opening of its first site in Whitley Bay this August, after acquiring former care home Burnside Lodge as part of a £1.25m investment.

Neill Winch, director of the Danieli group, engaged a multi-disciplinary team of lawyers from Hay & Kilner to cover all legal aspects of the sale.

He said: “Hay & Kilner has consistently provided an excellent service to the Danieli group. We are delighted to be able to expand our operations into the respite care market and to help create jobs for the North East.”

The Danieli group was set up three years ago and has an annual turnover of around £15m. It includes the Northridge Care and Phoenix Security businesses, as well as business training provider Executive Training Solutions.

Mark Adams, corporate finance partner, led the Hay & Kilner legal team, which included employment lawyer Sarah Furness and commercial property specialist Gail Marshall.

Adams said: “We were delighted to work with Danieli Holdings throughout the sale of Careline.

“The deal was done in what was ultimately a very tight timescale, but will undoubtedly help the group fund its ambitious and exciting expansion plans. We wish Neill Winch and the directors every success and are sure that Danieli will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Northridge has earmarked another site in Gateshead for its second development and also plans to open a further one in Northumberland. The three facilities are expected to create around 200 care jobs in the region.