FIRSTASSIST STRENGTHENS EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME BUSINESS WITH ACQUISITION OF LANCASTER GROUP.

FirstAssist, the leading health and wellbeing solutions provider, is strengthening its Employee Assistance Programme offering with the acquisition of Lancaster Group’s business. This latest acquisition forms part of FirstAssist’s ongoing focus on integrated solutions for the management of stress in the workplace, providing access to professionally trained and qualified counsellors, including a comprehensive face-to-face counselling network.

Lancaster Group (LG) was established in 1986, initially as a workplace training provider, including offering a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to stress. Other services provided by LG include stress auditing and consultancy and training for effectiveness and wellbeing.

“LG and FirstAssist have worked together as strategic partners for a number of years and this acquisition is a natural progression of that relationship,” confirmed Tim Ablett, Chief Executive of FirstAssist. “This provides us with an exciting opportunity to further extend our current portfolio of Employee Assistance Programmes and related services, by embracing complimentary counselling and stress related services currently provided by Lancaster. The ability to give access to counselling to reduce the impact of stress and related issues within the workplace, and promote a speedy return to work, is an essential part of our proactive health and wellbeing offering.”

All of LG’s staff are transferring to FirstAssist, further broadening its wealth of experience and knowledge. As FirstAssist has provided counselling and advice services to LG’s clients for many years, the transition of contracts to FirstAssist will be seamless for customers, and the retention of LG staff will ensure complete continuity in relationship management.