VetPartners
Headquarters: York, UK
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
- BC Partners
Private equity · UK
Filed accounts as of
Trades as 2 names
- VetPartners
- Goddard Veterinary Group
Share of practices by region
- North West 16% (127)
- South East 7% (99)
- South West 9% (90)
- Yorkshire 15% (88)
- London 17% (86)
- Scotland 10% (64)
- North East 20% (60)
- East Midlands 11% (52)
Percentage of all practices in each region owned by VetPartners ; 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 found competition concerns and ordered remedies package (final report March 2026)
March 2026
View sourceEmphasis on practice autonomy and local decision-making
January 2023
Who owns VetPartners?
A private equity fund run by BC Partners controls VetPartners. Neither BC Partners nor the accounts say exactly how much of it the fund owns.
What the records show:
- Companies House: VetPartners Ltd sits under VetPartners Group Ltd, which has been owned by Scooby Bidco Ltd since 29 November 2018. Each holds more than 75% of the one below (register).
- Filed accounts: Scooby Bidco’s accounts to 30 June 2025 say its parent is Scooby Equityco Limited in Jersey and its “ultimate controlling party is BC European Capital X”, a BC Partners fund (accounts, filed January 2026).
- BC Partners: says its funds bought VetPartners in November 2018 (BC Partners).
History
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.
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’ website describes over 500 practices across the UK (VetPartners: about us, checked October 2026), 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.
The UK figure is the group’s own. Our directory lists each RCVS-registered premises separately, so its VetPartners count is not directly comparable.
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).
How many vet practices does VetPartners own in the UK?
VetPartners owns or operates around 500 veterinary practices in the UK, by the group's own count. Our directory lists 794 RCVS-registered premises linked to VetPartners, counting main and branch surgeries separately, so the two figures can differ.
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.