BC-backed VetPartners buys Italian vet practices

[Editor's note: BC Partners is a minority owner of Acuris, the parent company of Unquote]

Following the deal, VetPartners appointed David Giraldi, the owner and founder of Ospedale Degli Animali, as its Italy-based managing director.

VetPartners plans to further strengthen its position in Italy with the acquisition of three additional practices by the end of the year, with the aim of building a platform in the veterinary surgery sector across the country.

Headquartered in York, VetPartners was established by CEO Jo Malone in 2015 with the merger of three practices: Minster Veterinary Practice in York, Raoul Dowding Vets in Gainsborough and Westway Veterinary Group in Newcastle. 

The group diversified to include a small animal veterinary nursing school, and an equine veterinary nursing school and laboratories, and undertook an acquisitive growth strategy. It acquired Origin in July 2018 and more recently Abbey Veterinary Centres in May 2019.

BC Partners bought VetPartners from Ares Management, Credit Group and August Equity in August 2018. The GP drew capital from BC European Capital X, which held a final close in January 2018 on its €7bn target.

Ares reinvested as part of the transaction, having entered into VetPartners' shareholding structure just two months prior to this deal. The company's management team also reinvested in the business.

Company
Ospedale Degli Animali, Vet Hospital H24 Firenze and Ospedale Veterinario Dott Peressotti are three veterinary practices based in Ferrara, Florence and Parma, respectively.

People
VetPartners – Jo Malone (CEO).

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