A Caerphilly-based workplace hygiene services provider has bought a supplier of healthcare and cleaning products to care homes.

The sale of Yorkshire-based Countrywide Healthcare Supplies to phs Group was the first deal for Manchester-headquartered corporate finance practice Vertex, which was set up earlier this year. The financial terms of the deal were undisclosed.

Countrywide Healthcare has its offices, warehouse and distribution centre at a 110,000sq ft base in Barnsley and has been supplying care homes across the UK with healthcare products along with interior design and fit-out services since its inception 28 years ago.

The business has more than 130 staff.

Its sale to phs Group provides an exit for founder and former chairman Alastair Kitching and co-director Jeremy Gilson. It also marks a successful exit for Octopus Ventures, which has backed the business since 2014.

The Vertex team who advised on the sale included managing director James Darlington and deal adviser Josh Malyan.

Caerphilly-based phs Group is a specialist provider of washroom, waste management, storage, testing, laundry and other services to over 300,000 businesses across the UK. With a workforce of more than 3,300 staff, the group also operates internationally.

A team at Shoosmiths’ Birmingham office, led by Alastair Peet and Gregg Harris, provided legal advice to Countrywide Healthcare, and Claritas provided tax advice.

Blake Morgan supported phs Group with legal advice and Deloitte provided the buyer with financial and tax due diligence advice.

Vertex was set up earlier this year to provide sell-side advice and equity fundraising support to SMEs across the UK.

It has its headquarters at the Manchester International Office Centre near Manchester Airport, and additional offices in Birmingham and London.