Osborne Clarke advises Gilde Healthcare on the acquisition of a majority stake in Physio CKI from Kapital 1852

Osborne Clarke has advised the healthcare‑focused investor Gilde Healthcare on the acquisition of a majority stake in the Physio CKI Group from Kapital 1852. With this investment, Gilde Healthcare is entering one of the fastest‑growing physiotherapy practice groups in Germany and further expanding its portfolio in the area of outpatient healthcare services.

The Physio CKI Group, headquartered in Cologne, operates 13 modern physiotherapy practices, offering general physiotherapy with a focus on sports orthopedics / traumatology and neurology, as well as other specialised therapy services in the Düsseldorf / Cologne / Rhein‑Sieg region. In addition, the group runs its own training academy for certified professional development courses. In total, the group employs more than 200 staff, 70 percent of whom are therapists.

Founder and CEO of Physio CKI, Chaled Qarizada, will retain a significant stake and continue to lead the company as CEO; Stephan Kretschmer will support him in the management team. Together with Gilde Healthcare, the focus will be on further driving organic growth in particular through the proven greenfield approach.

For Physio CKI, the entry of Gilde Healthcare marks a new phase of development. “The partnership with Gilde Healthcare marks an important step in Physio CKI’s development,” says Chaled Qarizada. “Together, we will expand the network of practices in a targeted manner, further increase the quality and accessibility of care, and strengthen professional therapy planning across multiple regions. The combination of Gilde Healthcare’s industry expertise and long-term capital enables us to execute our ambitious growth plan and establish the Physio CKI brand’s profile nationwide as synonymous with modern physiotherapy.”

Gilde Healthcare also sees the group as a strong platform for further growth. “Physio CKI impressed us with its innovative practice concept, clear quality standards, and dynamic, organic growth,” comments Robert Stein, Partner at Gilde Healthcare. “The consistent focus on patient needs, combined with efficient processes and a committed team, creates a strong foundation for sustainable growth. We look forward to supporting the group in its expansion and increasing access to high-quality physiotherapy services.”

The Osborne Clarke team that provided Gilde Healthcare with comprehensive advice on the transaction, led by Dr Nanni Spitzer and Lorenz Chwaszcza (both M&A/Private Equity, Munich), comprised Alexandra Nautsch (M&A/Corporate, Hamburg), Johanna Baumann, Hannah Gade and Philip Förster (M&A/Corporate, Munich), Florian Merkle and Patrick Seiler (Tax, Cologne), André Braig and Alexander Kreyßig (Employment, Munich), Dr Florian Eisenmenger (Data Protection, Munich), Moritz Windheuser, Maria Bibik and Jan Niklas Demmer (Real Estate, Cologne), as well as Tamara Lehmann (Intellectual Property, Munich).