Who Owns Your Vet?

Medivet

Headquarters: Watford, UK

private equity backed
405
In our directory
~350
Group-reported practices
1
Countries

The group-reported figure is the group's own count of its UK practices. Our directory lists RCVS-registered premises, counting main and branch surgeries separately, so the two figures can differ.

Ownership structure

Ultimate owner

Medivet 405 practices in our register

Share of practices by region

Percentage of all practices in each region owned by Medivet ; present in 6 further regions.

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

CMA found competition concerns and ordered remedies package (final report March 2026)

March 2026

View source

Who owns Medivet?

A private equity fund run by CVC Capital Partners has controlled Medivet since 2021. Neither CVC nor Medivet’s accounts say how much of it the fund owns.

What the records show:

  • Companies House: Medivet Group Ltd sits under a chain of holding companies, each owning more than 75% of the next, up to Hecate Holdco Ltd. That chain took control on 21 October 2021 (register).
  • Filed accounts: Hecate Holdco’s accounts to 30 April 2025 name its “ultimate controlling party” as CVC Capital Partners VIII (A) L.P., a CVC fund registered in Jersey (accounts, filed December 2025).
  • CVC: announced in September 2021 that this fund would invest in Medivet (CVC). The trade press reported the deal as a majority stake (VN Online, 17 September 2021), and August Equity said it invested alongside CVC “for a minority stake” (August Equity, October 2021).

History

Medivet was founded in 1987 and has grown into one of the UK’s largest veterinary groups (Medivet: company overview).

Private equity ownership

CVC Capital Partners is one of the world’s largest private equity firms. Private equity ownership typically means:

  • Focus on financial performance and growth
  • Pressure to deliver returns within 5-7 years
  • Potential for eventual sale to another buyer

UK presence

Medivet says it has over 350 practices in the UK (Medivet: about us), mainly offering:

  • First-opinion (general practice) veterinary care
  • 24-hour emergency services
  • Community-based veterinary clinics

Acquisition strategy

Like other corporate groups, Medivet has grown primarily through acquiring independent practices. When an independent practice is acquired, it typically retains its existing staff but becomes subject to corporate policies and pricing strategies.

What pet owners should know

  • Medivet practices are controlled by a global private equity firm
  • Individual practices may have less autonomy than independent vets
  • The private equity ownership model prioritises financial returns

Frequently asked questions

Who owns Medivet?

Medivet is a veterinary group backed by private equity investors. Its owners include CVC Capital Partners (private equity).

How many vet practices does Medivet own in the UK?

Medivet owns or operates around 350 veterinary practices in the UK, by the group's own count. Our directory lists 405 RCVS-registered premises linked to Medivet, counting main and branch surgeries separately, so the two figures can differ.