Historically, MMCG and CWCH have operated as two distinct brands despite having common ownership and leadership through their group senior team and at the Leeds head office.
But effective from May 1, 2024, all Countrywide Care Homes have become Maria Mallaband Care Group homes, in a move that is intended to bring simplicity and ensure consistency for all staff and everyone who lives in their care, as well as building visibility and awareness for the overall MMCG brand.
Paul Walsh, Chief Operating Officer of Maria Mallaband Care Group, said:
“This change represents a positive and beneficial step forward for our organisation. By unifying our brands, we reinforce our commitment to our collective aspirations for excellence in all areas of the business, for both colleagues and, most importantly, for the people who live with us.
“After many years as ‘sister companies’, this is an exciting new era for the business, and we are very pleased to bring all Countrywide and MMCG homes together under the MMCG brand.
“Having worked in a unified way for many years, we anticipate this will be a seamless transition for all, bringing even greater strength and cohesion as we all continue to drive forward with our aim to provide the best care homes in the UK.”
MMCG was founded in 1996, with the Countrywide Care Homes (CWCH) brand coming into being with the acquisition of 33 purpose-built care homes from the Southern Cross portfolio in 2011, with these new additions branded as Countrywide Care Homes. Together these sister companies formed one of the largest independent care home providers in the UK with some 80 homes.
Moving forward, the sister companies will become one. Employees of Countrywide Care Homes will experience no disruption to their day to day working lives and their employment contracts won’t change. The primary adjustment is the rebranding from CWCH to MMCG while the operation of the homes and quality of care provided will remain consistent.
Adds Paul:
“We will be providing the same high quality of care as ever, and as far as our colleagues and those in their care and their families will be aware, everything will remain the same, just look a little differently as we bring in the MMCG branding.”