Gilde Healthcare, through its private equity fund, has acquired a majority stake in Physio CKI, a Cologne-based group of physiotherapy practices providing of high-quality services in the Rhineland metropolitan area, from Germany-based Kapital 1852. Founder and managing director Chaled Qarizada retains a significant stake in the company and remains CEO. He is supported by Stephan Kretschmer, who joined as a member of the group’s management team.
Together with Gilde Healthcare, Physio CKI aims to accelerate organic growth through its greenfield approach.
“The combination of Gilde Healthcare’s industry expertise and long-term capital enables us to execute our ambitious growth plan and establish the Physio CKI brand’s profile nationwide as synonymous with modern physiotherapy,” said Qarizada.
Physio CKI currently operates 13 modern practices in the Düsseldorf/Cologne/Rhein-Sieg region and has its own training academy for certified professional development courses. Its range of services includes general physiotherapy with a focus on sports orthopaedics/traumatology and neurology. The group employs more than 200 people, 70 percent of whom are therapists.
“Physio CKI impressed us with its innovative practice concept, clear quality standards, and dynamic, organic growth,” said Robert Stein, partner at Gilde Healthcare.
Kapital 1852 acquired a majority stake in Physio CKI in 2023 as part of a combined succession plan and expansion financing.
“It has been a pleasure for us to play an important role in sustainably shaping the entrepreneurial journey of Physio CKI over the past years,” said Björn Schürmann on behalf of Kapital 1852. “Kapital 1852 is now handing over the baton to Gilde Healthcare, which will shape the next stage of the group’s development and actively support its strategic advancement.”
Physio CKI was advised by Livingstone (Christian Grandin, Felix Baust, Nils Reinold) and ARQIS.
Osborne Clarke (Dr. Nanni Spitzer, Lorenz Chwaszcza, Alexandra Martha Nautsch, Johanna Baumann, Hannah Gade, Philip Förster, Florian Merkle, Patrick Seiler, André Braig, Alexander Kreyßig, Dr. Florian Eisenmenger, Moritz Windheuser, Maria Bibik, Niklas Demmer, Tamara Lehmann).
Press release: Gilde Healthcare acquires a majority stake in Physio CKI, a physiotherapy practice group, from Kapital 1852 – Gilde Healthcare
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