Profile: Tory backer at the head of failing 'Gold Care' homes

Mr Gidar has been increasingly active in Conservative circles

Ravi Gidar has been invited to events attended by members of the Cabinet (bacl.net)

Ravinder – or Ravi – Gidar opened his first care home with his brother Sukhi back in 1999 and their company Gold Care Homes now has over 20 homes across the country with over 1,100 places for elderly residents.

Both qualified pharmacists, the brothers say their company’s ethos is to “enhance the lives of our residents and bring them joy”. But they have also benefited financially as well. Their company Gold Care Holdings made £1.27 million in profit last year – up from £250,000 in 2009.

Gold Care’s website makes mention of its family ownership and says it concentrates on “recruiting, training and retaining the best available staff”. But it is currently advertising for care assistants at a pay scale of between just £6.50 – £7.88 per hour.

The company also claims on its website that it has achieved a rating of “All Outcomes Met” from the Care Quality Commission in every one of the homes.

However as The Independent’s investigation discovered this would not appear to be accurate.

Mr Gidar has been increasingly active in Conservative circles. As well as being invited to exclusive events attended by Cabinet members including David Cameron and the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt he is also involved in his local Tory association.

Last year he organised a Bollywood Night for Tory members and friends in his Beaconsfield constituency.