York veterinary group acquires another practice as part of growth drive

A York-based veterinary group has added a South Wales practice to the group as its latest acquisition.

VetPartners, which owns more than 100 of the UK’s small animal, equine, farm and mixed practices, has added Abbey Veterinary Centres to its expanding group.

Abbey Veterinary Centre’s four small animal surgeries in Abergavenny, Tredegar, Brecon and Monmouth are now part of VetPartners.

However, Abbey Equine Clinic will not be joining VetPartners, but will instead retain its independent status under the management of clinical director Emma Jones.

Emma and husband Ben Hynes, along with fellow vets Gary Champken and Amanda Holland, sold their shareholding in the small animal division to VetPartners.

Emma said: “It was a personal decision to keep our long-established equine practice as a separate, independent business and everything has been conducted in an amicable and cordial way.

“We built up a very successful and large small animal and equine practice, but that is a lot for us to manage when we are also working as clinical directors.

“We looked into the prospect of joining a bigger corporate group, which would suit our work-life balance.

“We were most impressed with VetPartners and their approach to practices as they want to look after team members and ensure practices and people thrive in the future. We felt they would look after our practice and it will go from strength to strength.”