CareTrust REIT has acquired Eclipse Corporate Finance for $226.0 million, a transaction that brings the healthcare-focused real estate investment trust together with a specialist advisory firm serving the lower mid-market. The deal, which has been completed, transfers full ownership of Eclipse to CareTrust, marking the REIT’s entry into the financial advisory space for healthcare business owners.
Eclipse Corporate Finance advises healthcare business owners on company sales and private equity investments, focusing exclusively on transactions valued between £5 million and £50 million. The firm, staffed by chartered accountants with extensive mergers and acquisitions experience, provides hands-on guidance to SME healthcare founders seeking exits, de-risking strategies, or succession planning. CareTrust REIT, by contrast, is a real estate investment trust that owns and leases healthcare-related properties, generating income from long-term facility leases.
The acquisition is strategic for CareTrust because it adds a recurring, fee-based service line that complements its existing property portfolio. While CareTrust’s core business involves physical assets, Eclipse brings transactional expertise and direct relationships with healthcare entrepreneurs. This allows CareTrust to offer a broader range of services to the same client base, potentially identifying acquisition targets or lease opportunities earlier in the ownership lifecycle. For Eclipse, the deal provides access to CareTrust’s capital resources and institutional backing, which could support larger engagements or expanded service offerings.
The combined entity will operate with Eclipse retaining its advisory focus under CareTrust’s ownership, while CareTrust gains a foothold in the deal-making side of healthcare. The $226.0 million price reflects the value CareTrust places on Eclipse’s niche expertise and its established reputation in the UK healthcare SME market. No changes to Eclipse’s leadership or day-to-day operations have been announced as part of the transaction.
With this purchase, CareTrust diversifies beyond property ownership into advisory services, while Eclipse gains the financial stability of a larger parent. The success of the deal will likely hinge on how effectively the two firms cross-reference their client networks, particularly in identifying healthcare owners who may need both transaction advice and real estate solutions.