Bupa clients up by 57% following global expansion

Private healthcare group Bupa grew its client base by 57% last year after splashing out on international acquisitions.

The company, which owns the Cromwell Hospital in Kensington, said it had spent £1.3 billion on deals to increase its presence in markets such as Australia, Hong Kong, Poland and the US.

Pre-tax profits were down 12% to £514.4 million in 2013 although customer numbers hit 22 million.

The company is part way through a recovery plan that has seen it overhaul its UK business. It also faces a Competition Commission inquiry into whether there is a lack of competition in the private healthcare industry.

Boss Stuart Fletcher said: “These newly bought businesses have strengthened our foothold in healthcare around the world.”