Rescue of John Florence Children’s Orthotics Specialist
When financial pressures threatened the future of John Florence, a highly specialist manufacturer of bespoke children’s orthotics, the impact risked going far beyond the business itself.
When Care and Continuity Are on the Line
As the UK’s only dedicated provider of paediatric orthotics, John Florence plays a vital role in supporting NHS and private patients with life-changing medical devices – from tiny insoles to full body braces. The company’s collapse would have left children without essential care, while also causing 30+ redundancies in the Lewes community.
With insolvency looming, Parker Andrews Insolvency Practitioners were appointed to step in – tasked with keeping services running, protecting jobs and finding a way to deliver value back to creditors.
Situation
The company faced two major challenges:
- Financial pressure: A multi-million-pound claim from HMRC pushed the company into insolvency. Attempts to negotiate a time-to-pay arrangement had failed, leaving no viable path forward.
- Boardroom disputes: Internal disagreements further destabilised the business, delaying urgent decisions at a critical time.
Without intervention, the company risked closure – cutting off the supply of bespoke orthotics to children across the UK, placing dozens of skilled jobs at risk and leaving creditors facing heavy losses.
Planning
From the outset, Parker Andrews recognised that continuity of service was essential. At the same time, any plan had to balance safeguarding jobs and patients with the statutory duty to achieve the best possible return for creditors.
Insolvency Manager Andy Barron explained: “The real value in John Florence was in its people and their expertise. If we’d shut the doors, that value would have been lost overnight. More importantly, patients would have gone without vital medical equipment. With so few specialist manufacturers in the country, removing John Florence would have left a huge hole for the NHS and for children who rely on these products.”
Andy set out a plan to:
- Trade the business through administration while seeking a buyer.
- Reassure staff and suppliers, ensuring production could continue.
- Market the business for sale, prioritising both financial return and the preservation of jobs and services.
Action
For almost two months between October and December 2024, Parker Andrews traded the business while running a sale process. Insolvency Manager Andy Barron was on site throughout, working closely with staff and directors to keep the company operational.
“We had to step straight in,” Andy recalls. “That meant managing orders, purchasing supplies, making sure clinicians could keep treating patients and constantly updating staff. Some suppliers hadn’t been paid for months and were reluctant to continue. Others we had to negotiate with, even making difficult calls on who to pay and when. Staff morale was just as important – I spent time with every team each week to reassure them about what was happening.”
Trevor Watkins, Director of John Florence, remembers the impact of that approach: “The Parker Andrews team quickly understood the nuances of our business and worked with us to ensure continuity – giving employees reassurance, supporting suppliers and maintaining turnover. That stability meant patients continued to receive their treatment and the business was ultimately able to be sold, protecting both services and employment.”
Result
In December 2024, the business was sold to Medfac UK Limited, securing a long-term future for John Florence. The outcome delivered:
- 30+ jobs saved in Lewes, avoiding significant local redundancies.
- Business continuity, with John Florence continuing to operate under new ownership.
- Uninterrupted patient care, safeguarding access to highly specialist paediatric orthotics for children across the UK.
- A substantial return to creditors, with an interim distribution already paid to HMRC as the secondary preferential creditor and further funds expected to follow.
Reflections on a Rescue that Made a Difference
Lisa Frodsham, Group Financial Controller at Medfac Group, said: “For Medfac, acquiring John Florence was about more than a business opportunity – it was about safeguarding a unique service that children and families depend on. Protecting 30+ jobs in Lewes was equally important, ensuring valuable skills and experience were retained. John Florence is a great fit for our business, building on the skills and reputation we already have at Medfac. We are committed to supporting the team and strengthening John Florence’s specialist expertise so patients can continue to rely on this vital care for years to come.”
Reflecting on the outcome, Insolvency Manager Andy Barron added: “What makes this rescue so significant is the human impact. We weren’t just saving a business – we were protecting children’s access to vital medical equipment, preserving the expertise of a dedicated team and delivering real value to creditors. It’s a reminder that insolvency can be a tool for rescue, not just closure.”
Every rescue starts with a conversation.
If your business is under pressure, reach out early. There are always more options than you think.
