Leading ladies take the helm at Wessex Fertility

January 28, 2008

Southampton-based Wessex Fertility is to get the female touch as two lady consultants take the helm following a recent management buy out, backed by The Royal Bank of Scotland (“RBS”).  Following eight years working within the clinic, consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists Dr Chantal Simonis and Dr Sue Ingamells have now taken ownership from the clinic’s founder Mr Gordon Masson, making Wessex Fertility the first of its kind in the UK to be owned and run by an all-female consultant team. 

With over twenty years’ combined experience in fertility treatment and women’s health, Drs Simonis and Ingamells have a clear vision for the future of the clinic.
Dr Sue Ingamells said: “Wessex fertility has provided an excellent level of care and treatment to its patients for over twenty years, achieving excellent pregnancy success rates.  We are thrilled to have the opportunity to build on the clinic’s successful track record.  Our aims include extending our facilities and clinic opening hours to reduce waiting times for those seeking fertility treatment and adding a range of women’s health treatments to offer a holistic fertility treatment and women’s health service.  We are also looking to open satellite clinics in other parts of the South of England to reduce fertility treatment waiting times and make it easier for patients to have consultations closer to home.”

Known for its inclusive approach (Wessex Fertility accepts couples with a lower chance of success, provided there is no major health risk) and individual patient care, Wessex Fertility’s specialist doctors are always on call, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year to ensure that patients always have access to the care and support they need.  Dr Chantal Simonis added: “Patient care and support are top of our agenda.  We understand the emotional strain that fertility issues can cause and aim to alleviate some of the stress and anxiety by offering a personal, supportive service to our patients and their families.  Our many letters of thanks and testimonials show that going the extra mile makes a big difference.”

Sue has lived in Southampton since 1979 and is the Honorary Senior Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Southampton, where she graduated and studied her PhD.  Chantal originally trained in Cape Town, South Africa, but has been based in Winchester, Hampshire for over ten years.

David Copley and Jez Quigg of Tenon Corporate Finance’s Southampton office advised the management team on the buy out.  Copley, a Chartered Accountant, commented “this is a huge opportunity for this top medical team, I am sure that we will see Wessex Fertility developing rapidly over the next few years. The Tenon team was delighted to have been involved”.

Funding for the transaction was provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland Structured Debt Solutions team, which specialises in leveraged finance solutions. Ian Burroughs, Associate Director, Structured Debt Solutions in Southampton commented, “It is a delight to see the new management team in place. By working closely with them, we have been able to put a bespoke funding solution in place, facilitating the buy out. We wish the team every success for the future and look forward to continuing to work with them.”