15/01/2004 - Alchemy's rivals bid for Four Seasons Back     Press Release Sept/Oct 99 - Cutting Fife businessman Robert Kilgour, who in just 10 years turned a two-person venture into one of the biggest private health care operators in the UK has left his Four Seasons firm to concentrate on other business interests.   Mr Kilgour's departure comes just a month after he played a key role in a £70.4 million deal which saw Kirkcaldy-based Four Seasons Health Care in partnership with venture capitalists Alchemy Partners take over nationwide nursing home group Cresta Care plc.   The 42 year old was expected to take on the role of Group Commercial Director of the new company, which employs a workforce of almost 6000 and provides 5,300 beds at 100 nursing, residential and specialist care homes throughout Scotland, England and Northern Ireland.   But he has now decided "corporate life" is not for him and has agreed an "amicable parting of the ways".   Revealing that he would not be continuing in the healthcare sector, he said, "I have other Scottish-based business interests which I would not be able to concentrate on effectively if I have to constantly travel the country in the role as Group Commercial Director".   "I have thoroughly enjoyed being involved with Four Seasons from the opening of our first home, Station Court in Kirkcaldy in 1989 to the take over of Cresta Care".   "I would like to thank all the many people who have helped and supported me along the way, particularly my loyal staff, in what has for most of the time been an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding experience."   I wish the new company - the fifth largest of its kind in the UK - and its staff onward and upward progress under the leadership of Hamilton Anstead, who joined me as Four Seasons Joint Chief Executive two years ago".   Launched by Mr Kilgour in Kirkcaldy's former Station Hotel, Four Seasons steadily expanded and prior to last month's take over deal was within the top 15 of the UK's providers of long term care of the elderly.   The most significant developments occurred in the last two years after Mr Kilgour and Mr Anstead, the former Managing Director of Takare Plc, the UK's biggest provider of long term care for the elderly, joined forces.   Their combined skills resulted in a multi-million pounds expansion programme which led to the partnership with Alchemy and the decision to bid for Cresta Care.       Back