Our story

Castle House. Health at our heart.

For over 25 years, our journey has been dedicated to creating exceptional care and vibrant communities where residents and families can thrive and feel at home.

Building the future

The story of Castle House Collection began over 25 years ago with Amar Sheikh and his late brother, Momin, who were both driven by a shared vision of creating an unparalleled standard of care and retirement living.
Inspired by their family’s future needs, they transformed a historic property into the pioneering Newlands of Stow, blending luxurious, independent living with exceptional care services. Over time, CHC expanded with high-standard developments like Bridge House of Twyford and George Potter House, each reflecting its commitment to quality, innovation, and community.

Today, we continue to set the benchmark in care and retirement living.

1997 – A snowy trip to Stow on the Wold

Over 25 years ago, Amar Sheikh and his late brother, Momin, discovered the site for Newlands of Stow on a snowy winter day. The property, a grand country house with extensive grounds on Evesham Road, inspired their vision to create a premium retirement complex that combined high-quality living with comprehensive care services. This was rooted in their desire to provide their parents—and others like them—with an elegant, worry-free environment for their later years.

1999 – Newlands opens, and a community is created

Amar and Momin's background in property development helped them envision an integrated community where retirees could enjoy independent living in cottages and supported apartments, transitioning seamlessly to high-standard care if needed. They introduced luxurious, 5-star care home facilities with only 17 large, beautifully appointed rooms, doubling the standard size of care home bedrooms at that time. The experience included a restaurant-style dining experience and access to exclusive cultural events like polo matches, bridge nights, and art shows.

2000 – A groundbreaking approach to later living

Inspired by developments in the US and Australia, Newlands of Stow became the first in the UK, targeting affluent retirees from the Cotswolds. Amar and Momin emphasised community and maintenance-free living, where residents could enjoy gardens, services, and peace of mind. The development set a new standard for retirement living and positioned CHC as a pioneer in luxury care communities.

2005 – Expanding access & the group

Bridge House of Twyford With Newlands' success as a foundation, the brothers expanded with the acquisition of Bridge House in Twyford. The property included substantial land, allowing for the construction of a retirement community that met the highest standards.

This included cottages equipped with Neptune kitchens and interiors exuding luxury, reinforcing the group's reputation for excellence in retirement living.

2008 – Diversifying our care services

Over the years, CHC broadened its portfolio by acquiring and developing additional care homes with distinct offerings. Notably, George Potter House in Battersea, a substantial facility with over 100 beds, became known for its exceptional dementia and nursing care. This large-scale home maintained the group's commitment to quality care while catering to a broader demographic.

2010 – Integrating supported living at Newlands of Stow

CHC's developments continued to evolve, integrating supported living apartments to facilitate a smoother transition for residents moving from independent cottages to more comprehensive care services. This multi-stage approach, beginning at Newlands and expanding through other properties, underscored Amar and Momin's holistic, long-term care planning foresight.

2012 – Commitment to the Retirement Living sector

Amar's active role in organisations like ARCO furthered CHC's reputation in retirement living. His leadership ensured that the group's properties remained benchmarks for innovation and quality, providing elegant living environments and access to first-class services. CHC's unique luxury, exclusivity, and community model continued to shape the UK's retirement living landscape.

2017 – 2 new homes. Coxwell Hall & Ashton Lodge

CHC's developments continued to evolve, integrating supported living apartments to facilitate a smoother transition for residents moving from independent cottages to more comprehensive care services. This multi-stage approach, beginning at Newlands and expanding through other properties, underscored Amar and Momin's holistic, long-term care planning foresight.

2020 – Jamil, Karim and Peter join the business

With the next generation stepping into leadership roles, CHCC continues to flourish under the guidance of Jamil and Karim Sheikh, who bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to care. Joined by Peter Thomas, a dedicated family member with deep ties to CHC, they uphold the vision of excellence established by Amar Sheikh. Together, they are committed to advancing the group's legacy by integrating modern technology, expanding services, and nurturing a culture of pride and dedication across all CHC homes. This new leadership team ensures that CHC remains at the forefront of quality care and community-driven experiences.

2021 – We launch our Flourishing Friends scheme

At CHC, our team is at the heart of our success. Through our pioneering Flourishing Friends initiative, we prioritise staff well-being with comprehensive support and growth opportunities. This includes annual awards, bi-annual prizes, extensive training programs, and the flexibility to work across locations. Our commitment extends to holistic well-being, offering healthcare practitioner support, personal training sessions, financial coaching, mental health counselling, nutritional guidance, and on-site meals. By fostering a supportive and enriching work environment, we ensure our team feels valued, motivated, and proud to be part of the CHC family.

2022 – Yasmin Sheikh joins the business

Yasmin Sheikh, daughter of Amar Sheikh, has brought her passion for design and attention to detail to CHC as the lead on interiors across the group. With a keen eye for creating inviting and elegant spaces, Yasmin ensures that every home and retirement village within CHC embodies warmth, comfort, and sophistication. Her approach blends practicality with style, enriching the living experience for residents and reinforcing CHC's commitment to high standards and thoughtful care. Yasmin's influence has transformed the interiors into luxurious and homely spaces, making every resident's stay as comfortable and uplifting as possible.

2024 – We win the Care Home Group of the Year Award

CHC's dedication to excellence and innovation in the care sector has not gone unnoticed. Recently, the group was honoured with the prestigious Care Home Group of the Year Award, recognising its outstanding commitment to providing exceptional care and creating thriving communities. This accolade celebrates CHC's pioneering approach to resident well-being, state-of-the-art facilities, and holistic staff support initiatives. Receiving this distinguished award underscores CHC's position as a leader in the industry. It reaffirms its mission to set new quality care standards where residents and team members feel valued and supported.

2024 – Our groundbreaking research into extending life in later life is published

At CHC, we are committed to caring for our residents and enhancing their quality of life and longevity. To further this mission, we are excited to collaborate with a distinguished medical university on a groundbreaking research project. This study explores how a nurturing care environment, enriched daily activities, and nutritious, balanced meals can extend life expectancy in a care setting. By examining these elements in depth, we strive to set new benchmarks in the field and deepen our understanding of how comprehensive, compassionate care can lead to more meaningful and enriched years for our residents.

2024 – The future…

As CHC looks to the future, we envision a world where care provision is supported by relevant digital technology and continually advanced through collaboration with healthcare experts and leading medical universities. We aim to understand better how to extend life and enhance well-being for those in their later years.

This vision is driven by a commitment to innovation, combining compassionate care with cutting-edge research. We invite dedicated professionals, partners, and innovators to join us in building this future—a future where residents don't just receive care but truly flourish.