Back in 1991, Tony Banks identified an opportunity in the care home sector to build a group of privately owned and operated care homes that would set a new and highly desirable standard in care homes. He started by buying an elegant Victorian property (Lisden House, Kirriemuir) that up to time had always been privately owned. He then spent more than a year and £750,000 to convert the house into an industry leading care home, that residents and families of residents would enjoy and be proud of.

Since then, over the past two decades, Balhousie Care Group has grown into Scotland's leading independant provider of residential and nursing care facilities. With a very prudent focus on balancing the commercial aspects and responsibilities of a care home business with the ambitions of setting new standards in the care home sector, Tony has successfully steered the company to substantial growth, and is now spending a great deal of his time researching the expectations that future generations will have as they plan for their care in later life and planning where Balhousie Care needs to be to meet those expectations.

Tony still regularly visits the care homes in the group to see for himself that the standards he set out twenty years ago are being dilligently adhered to today.
"We have great people working for us in the group" says Tony. "I just like to keep my finger on the pulse and ensure we never get complacent or miss an opportunity to please and impress".

Recent Balhousie/Tony Banks achievements include:

• Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2010 - Winner Scottish Region and National Finalist
• Fastest growing company in Scotland 2008 – Virgin Fast Track 100
• Finalist – National Business Awards '08 - '09
• Finalist – Scottish Care National Awards '08
• Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year '08 - '09
• Finalist of the Care Business Development Achiever of the Year category of the Scottish Care Awards 2008
• Finalist of The Tenon Entrepreneur of the Year Award category of The National Business Awards for Scotland 2008, sponsored by Orange
• Finalist in the Multiple Care Home Operator of the Year category of the Scottish Care National Awards 2007

Tony still has many goals that he wants to achieve, not least creating safe, practical, enjoyable environments where individuals will enjoy being cared for in a way that continues to set new benchmarks. When Tony (TB to his friends) isn't working he enjoys supporting his favourite Scottish football team, and as a qualified helicopter pilot (with over 250 flying hours to his credit) enjoys flying and travelling to see more of the world.

Our Chairman Tony Banks has received a very special Royal invitation to return to the army as honorary colonel to a Scottish regiment.

TB is a tireless campaigner for servicemen’s causes and a major backer of charities such as Combat Stress, recently took up the post with the Territorial Army’s 71 Engineer Regiment.

Although the role is largely ceremonial, and comes by invitation from the Queen, TB is taking his duties seriously and has recently joined members of the regiment on a training camp in Cyprus.

He will also act as an ambassador for the TA, building links with businesses and the community and offering professional advice on issues such as recruitment.

Watch an interview with Tony Banks

visit Tony's personal website