VetPartners
Headquarters: York, UK
Ownership structure
Ultimate owners
- BC Partners 100%
Private equity · UK
Source as of
Trades as 3 names
- VetPartners
- VetPartners
- Goddard Veterinary Group
Share of practices by region
- North West 17% (128)
- South East 7% (109)
- South West 9% (93)
- Yorkshire 15% (89)
- London 19% (81)
- Scotland 11% (67)
- North East 21% (61)
- East Midlands 11% (54)
Percentage of all practices in each region owned by VetPartners ; present in 6 further regions.
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 found competition concerns and ordered remedies package (final report March 2026)
March 2026
View sourceEmphasis on practice autonomy and local decision-making
January 2023
Overview
VetPartners was founded in 2015 with a stated aim of creating a different kind of veterinary group - one that offers practices more autonomy while providing corporate support. The company was acquired by BC Partners in 2022.
Positioning
VetPartners markets itself as different from other corporate groups, emphasising:
- Practice autonomy and local decision-making
- Maintaining existing practice identities after acquisition
- A “family of practices” approach
However, these claims should be evaluated carefully - as a private equity-backed company, VetPartners ultimately faces the same financial pressures as competitors.
UK and European Presence
VetPartners operates over 600 practices, including:
- First-opinion (general practice) clinics
- Specialist referral centres
- Equine practices
- Farm animal practices
They have also expanded into Europe through acquisitions in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
What Pet Owners Should Know
- Despite branding as “different,” VetPartners is owned by private equity
- Individual practices may retain their names but are part of a corporate group
- The BC Partners ownership means focus on financial returns
Frequently asked questions
Who owns VetPartners?
VetPartners is a veterinary group backed by private equity investors. Its owners include BC Partners (private equity, 100%).
How many vet practices does VetPartners own in the UK?
VetPartners owns or operates around 630 veterinary practices in the UK. 813 practices linked to VetPartners appear in our directory.
What names do VetPartners practices trade under?
VetPartners practices trade under names including VetPartners, Goddard Veterinary Group. A local practice name does not necessarily mean local ownership.