Virgin, the business group of Sir Richard Branson, has moved into healthcare with the acquisition of a majority stake in Assura Medical for £4 million. 

Virgin, the business group of Sir Richard Branson, has moved into healthcare with the acquisition of a majority stake in Assura Medical for £4 million.

Assura works alongside NHS general practitioners (GPs) to provide care and diagnostic services. The Cheshire-based business has partnerships with some 1,500 GPs and employs 150 staff, 75 of which will transfer to Virgin.

Branson says: ‘Healthcare is a sector that [we] have been extremely interested in entering for some time but we have always said that the partner and the timing had to be right – with Assura we believe we have found the perfect partner.’

The deal comes after Assura Medical reported pre-tax losses of £4.4 million in the six months to September.