New Vet guideline.

Paul Lilwall
Apr 7
2 min read

In the UK, the veterinary market has shifted dramatically over the last decade. As of 2026, roughly 60% of practices are owned by six large corporate groups. If you've noticed your local vet still has its original name but the receipts look different, it’s likely because these groups often retain the original branding to keep a "local" feel.

The "Big Six" dominating the UK landscape are:

1. IVC Evidensia

The largest veterinary group in Europe and the UK. They have grown aggressively through acquisitions and currently oversee over 1,000 UK sites. They are backed by private equity (primarily EQT and Nestlé).

Vibe: Focuses on "clinical freedom," meaning they try to let individual practices maintain their own culture while providing central support.

2. CVS Group

Unlike some others on this list, CVS is a publicly traded company (listed on the London Stock Exchange). They own hundreds of practices, as well as diagnostic laboratories, crematoria, and an online pharmacy (Animed Direct).

Vibe: Very integrated. They tend to have a more standardized "corporate" structure across their practices.

3. Linnaeus (Owned by Mars)

Owned by the global giant Mars, Inc. (the same company that makes Snickers and Royal Canin). Linnaeus focuses heavily on high-end specialist referral centers but has a massive primary care network as well.

Vibe: High-spec. They are known for investing heavily in advanced medical equipment and specialist-led care.

4. Pets at Home (Vets for Pets)

Operating under the "Vets for Pets" or "Companion Care" brands, these are usually found inside or adjacent to Pets at Home retail stores. They operate on a joint-venture model where a vet "owns" the practice but the corporate parent provides the infrastructure and branding.

Vibe: Convenience-led. Great for one-stop shopping and weekend availability.

5. Medivet

Medivet operates a "hub and spoke" model, where a large 24-hour hospital (the hub) supports several smaller local clinics (the spokes).

Vibe: Community-focused but with very clear paths for emergency care through their internal hospital network.

6. VetPartners

Based in York, this group started with a focus on equine and farm practices but has expanded rapidly into companion animals. It is backed by private equity firm BC Partners.

Vibe: Historically very strong in the North of England and in the horse/farm sectors.