National Fostering Agency / Outcomes First Group merger inquiry

The CMA investigated and cleared the completed acquisition by SSCP Spring Bidco Limited (trading as National Fostering Agency) of Boston Holdco A Limited (trading as Outcomes First Group).

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 11 September 2019
• Last updated: 20 December 2019 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Healthcare and medical equipment
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance
• Opened: 10 September 2019
• Closed: 20 December 2019

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 Date	Action
11 December 2019	Decision announced
23 October 2019	Launch of merger inquiry
23 October to 6 November 2019	Invitation to comment
9 August 2019	Initial enforcement order

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

11 December 2019: The CMA has cleared the completed acquisition by SSCP Spring Bidco Limited (trading as National Fostering Agency) of Boston Holdco A Limited (trading as Outcomes First Group).

• Full text decision (20.12.19)

Revocation order

26 November 2019: Pursuant to section 72(4)(b) of the Enterprise Act 2002 the CMA revokes the Interim Enforcement Order of 9 August 2019 on the Stirling Square Capital Partners group and SSCP Spring Bidco Limited (trading as National Fostering Agency), in relation to the acquisition by SSCP Spring Bidco Limited of Boston Holdco A Limited (trading as Outcomes First Group).

• Revocation order (26.11.19)

Launch of merger inquiry

23 October 2019: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement notice (23.10.19)

Invitation to comment: Now closed

23 October 2019: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party.

These comments should be provided by the deadline set out above.

Initial enforcement order

9 August 2019: The CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on the Stirling Square Capital Partners group and SSCP Spring Bidco Limited (trading as National Fostering Agency), in relation to the acquisition by SSCP Spring Bidco Limited of Boston Holdco A Limited (trading as Outcomes First Group).

• Initial enforcement order (11.9.19)

Amendments/consents granted

• Derogation 13 September 2019 (20.9.19)

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition or public interest to general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk.

Published 11 September 2019
Last updated 20 December 2019 + show all updates

1. 20 December 2019

   Full text decision published.

2. 10 December 2019

   Clearance decision announced.

3. 26 November 2019

   Revocation order published.

4. 23 October 2019

   Launch of merger inquiry.

5. 20 September 2019

   Derogation published.

6. 11 September 2019

   First published.