Healthcare Locums plc, a provider of healthcare professionals, has strengthened its business after it bought JCJ Locums, a locum junior and middle grade doctor recruitment specialist, from PRG Group plc for £5.5 million in cash.

The deal was backed by Healthcare Locum’s banker, Paul Ambrose at Barclays, and AIB, led by Simon Hammond, a senior manager in its corporate banking business.

Hammond said the increase in debt to support the transaction led to AIB being approached to co-fund the deal.

“The increase in debt to support the refinance of existing facilities and finance the JCJ transaction meant that Barclays were looking for another bank to form a club deal,” Hammond said. “Healthcare Locums approached AIB due to our previous interest in the business.”