Our story
It’s been over 35 years since Agincare’s Founder and Chairman Derek Luckhurst started his first care home, Agincourt, in Weymouth, Dorset.
Since then we have grown to become a leading, independent provider of a comprehensive range of high-quality care services nationwide.
The Luckhurst family lived on-site at Agincourt. During the early days Derek got to know care inside-out, and worked with the care team delivering care on a day-to-day basis.
His vision was to create a new style of care home, that offered high-quality personalised care and support at an affordable price.
The birth of a family care provider
Building on Agincourt’s good local reputation, Derek created independent care provider Agincare in 1993 to deliver home care, and manage a growing number of care and nursing homes across the country.
In 1994, Agincare was one of the very first care providers in the country to be awarded a local authority block contract for home care for older people, and we now operate public sector contracts nationwide.
I was inspired to go into the care sector because I knew there were ways of providing a better quality of care than what was available at the time.
Since then I’m immensely proud that, in my opinion, we as a team have evolved into the best and greatest value care provider in the country.
Founder and Chairman, Derek Luckhurst
Raina joins the team
Unlike many other care providers, despite our rapid growth and success, Agincare has remained family-owned with no external investors. We are a local and caring organisation driven by people with a passion for what they do.
Chief Executive, Raina Summerson
A key to the successful growth of Agincare was the appointment of Chief Executive Raina Summerson, whom joined in 2004. Raina brought with her a wealth of knowledge and experience as a qualified social worker with a Masters in Mental Health Services. Before joining Agincare, Raina had worked in private care, local authorities and the NHS. Raina also possessed valuable experience as a regulatory inspector of care homes and domiciliary care agencies.
Growing from strength to strength
Agincare has continued to expand over the years, working with partners and growing into new areas across the country. We have diversified, innovated and introduced new services to meet the increasing demands of the health and social care sector.
In 2023 we brought our care and nursing home services to London (pictured above), and continue to grow year-on-year across all our services.
Our reputation has been recognised nationwide, reflecting our relationships across the health and social sector, such as with the Homecare Association, national government, and many other key organisations.
We work closely with local authorities, NHS and other partners, growing into many new areas nationwide.
Recognising excellence
We’re proud to have been recognised by Indeed as a top-rated workplace in the UK private sector. We‘ve also been named as one of the London Stock Exchange Group’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’. It recognises the UK’s fastest growing and most dynamic small and medium sized businesses.
From day one, our delivery of high-quality care has only been made possible by our biggest asset – our incredible workforce – and we never underestimate our responsibility to look after them in return.
Their heart to care is why our services, regulated by the Care Quality Commission, consistently gain top reviews and scores on sites like TrustPilot, carehome.co.uk and homecare.co.uk, making a real difference to the people we care for and support 24/7, 365 days a year.
Celebrating care heroes
In 2021 star of screen and stage Joanna Lumley thanked Agincare team members as we awarded them Covid Hero Medals to recognise their incredible efforts during the pandemic.
And in 2022 we launched our first ever Agincare Heroes Awards to recognise and reward team members who go above and beyond to make an incredible impact in their roles.
Now an annual event, the Agincare Heroes Awards, attracts hundreds of nominations, with winners attending a prestigious ceremony every June.
Proud history, bright future
Our drive to deliver high quality care has seen Agincare survive three recessions and weather the Covid pandemic to grow on a highly successful, sustainable and ethical basis.
Since 1986 we’ve developed into one of the largest independent care groups nationwide employing 4,000 people at over 90 locations.
We’re one of the very few providers nationwide that offers a comprehensive range of high-quality care options. It’s how we’re able to tailor care to every client as their needs change, in a way that few other providers can.
And as an independent, family-owned care provider, we’re always focused on long-term sustainability, providing peace of mind for everyone who draws on our services, and their loved ones.
Derek’s three sons Adam, Simon and Piers Luckhurst have also learnt care from the ground up. They’re now taking a leading role in Agincare’s growth to ensure it has a successful future, whilst staying true to the values it was built on.