Vet group fired up for North East expansion after Dragon deal

A national veterinary group is aiming to grow its presence in the North East after completing a deal for a Washington practice.

Medivet Group has bought the Dragon Veterinary Centre, in Concord, from owners Andrew and Julie Henfrey, for an undisclosed sum.

And bosses say the acquisition could be followed by other agreements, as the business seeks to expand further across the region.

Under the terms of the deal, Andrew and Julie – and their team – will remain with the practice.

Originally founded in London, Medivet Group is a veterinary-owned and led group of more than 350 branches, which operate on a partnership basis.

Dr Ben Hanning, director of acquisitions at Medivet Group, said: “We’re very pleased to have made such a well-regarded practice our first acquisition in the region.

 

“The people and personalities are absolutely central to the acquisitions we choose to make, and from the very first time we met them, it was clear that Andrew and Julie shared the same priorities with us.

“As well as being expert practitioners, they’re also passionate about customer care, training and skills improvement and have a very well-deserved reputation for the quality of service that they and their team deliver.

“We have a number of other acquisition opportunities already in the pipeline and are confident that this is the first step in establishing the Medivet Group right across the North East.”

Andrew and Julie have worked in the Washington area for more than 25 years, having set up Dragon Veterinary Centre in 2005.

Andrew added: “The fact Medivet Group is owned and operated by veterinarians was very attractive to us in terms of ensuring our clients would continue to receive the very best standards of care.

“We’re very pleased to be part of the Medivet team and excited by the benefits that it will bring for our team, our clients and the animals that they all care for.”

Mark Adams and Ben Jackson, of the corporate team at Hay & Kilner Law Firm, in Newcastle, provided legal advice to the Henfreys.

Mark said: “Andrew and Julie have built up a highly-regarded and very successful practice, and we’re extremely pleased to have now helped them reach both their personal and commercial objectives.”