Who Owns Your Vet?

IVC Evidensia

Headquarters: Bristol, UK

private equity backed

Also known as: IVC, Evidensia, Goddard Veterinary Group, Companion Care

~1,000
UK Practices
~20%
Market Share
7
Countries

Ownership Structure

EQT Partners
private equity • Sweden
45%
Silver Lake
private equity • USA
25%
Nestlé S.A.
corporation • Switzerland
30%

Private Equity Ownership: Private equity firms typically aim to generate returns within 5-7 years, which may influence business decisions including pricing and cost management.

Reputation & Regulatory Matters

cma investigation

Subject to CMA market investigation into veterinary services sector

September 2024

View source
employment practices

Reports of high staff turnover and workplace pressure concerns

June 2024

Overview

IVC Evidensia describes itself as “building the world’s best veterinary group.” The company was formed through the 2017 merger of Independent Vetcare (IVC) and Swedish company Evidensia.

UK Presence

In the UK, IVC Evidensia operates under several well-known brands and has acquired many previously independent practices. Their rapid expansion through acquisitions has made them one of the dominant players in the UK veterinary market.

Ownership Structure

The company is majority-owned by private equity firms:

  • EQT Partners (Sweden) - 45% stake
  • Silver Lake (USA) - 25% stake
  • Nestlé S.A. (Switzerland) - 30% minority stake

Regulatory Matters

In 2024, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a market investigation into the veterinary services sector, examining concerns about pricing, transparency, and competition. IVC Evidensia, as one of the largest corporate groups, has been a focus of this investigation.

What Pet Owners Should Know

  • Practices owned by IVC Evidensia may not always clearly display their corporate ownership
  • Prices and policies may be influenced by corporate strategy rather than local decision-making
  • Staff turnover can sometimes affect continuity of care