H.I.G. Bayside Capital Europe Closes £90M Refinancing of UK Healthcare Platform Lifeways Group

LONDON — May 19, 2026 — H.I.G. Europe, the European special situations and capital solutions affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, has completed a £90 million unitranche term loan facility to refinance Lifeways Group, the UK's largest provider of high-acuity support services for individuals with learning disabilities, autism, mental health conditions, physical disabilities, and other complex needs. The transaction refinances Lifeways' existing debt structure and provides a five-year platform for the company's continued growth strategy.

Lifeways, which is backed by Fidera Group and Barings, delivers services to more than 4,000 service users across approximately 1,100 locations nationwide. H.I.G. Capital manages $75 billion of capital under management across its global affiliates.

Deal Structure

The £90 million facility is structured as a unitranche loan, combining senior and subordinated debt risk into a single facility. H.I.G. Bayside Capital's mandate as a special situations and capital solutions lender positions it to serve middle-market borrowers in operationally intensive sectors.

The new five-year term loan replaces Lifeways' prior debt structure, extending the company's maturity runway. According to the announcement, the new financing is intended to support expanding supported living capacity, investing in service quality, and enhancing operational infrastructure.

Mathilde Malezieux-Dehon, Managing Director at H.I.G. Bayside, said the company's recent performance underpinned the financing decision. "Lifeways is a high-quality and resilient provider of essential care services, with a leading market position in a growing and structurally supported sector," Malezieux said. "The Company has demonstrated strong EBITDA growth in recent years, underpinned by a successful operational transformation, improved governance, and a clear focus on delivering high-quality outcomes for service users. H.I.G. Bayside's capital solutions loan refinances the existing capital structure and provides flexibility to support Lifeways' next phase of growth."

Operational Transformation Precedes the Refinancing

Lifeways Chief Executive Officer Andrea Kinkade described the refinancing as supporting the company following a period of significant operational transformation. "Lifeways has undergone a significant operational transformation in recent years, with a renewed focus on quality of care, governance, and efficiency, alongside meaningful investment in our people, digital infrastructure, and service offering," Kinkade said. "This new financing provides a stable and flexible capital structure that will enable us to continue delivering high-quality outcomes for the people we support, expand our supported living and mental health services, and execute our long-term growth strategy across the UK."

The proceeds are earmarked to support expanding supported living capacity, investing in service quality, and enhancing operational infrastructure, according to the announcement. Lifeways operates across approximately 1,100 locations nationwide, serving individuals with autism, learning disabilities, mental health conditions, and physical disabilities.

About the Parties

H.I.G. Bayside Capital is the special situations affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, focused on middle-market companies and investing across primary and secondary debt capital markets. H.I.G. Bayside operates from eight offices across the United States and Europe and draws on more than 500 investment professionals. H.I.G. Capital, headquartered in Miami, manages $75 billion of capital under management and has invested in more than 400 companies since its founding in 1993.

Lifeways Group is headquartered in the United Kingdom and is backed by Fidera Group and Barings. The company is the UK's largest provider of high-acuity support services, serving individuals with learning disabilities, autism, mental health conditions, physical disabilities, and other complex needs across approximately 1,100 locations.