Parklands veterinary group is the first Northern Irish practice to join VetPartners which is preparing for expansion across Europe. Parklands is a mixed practice, with sites in Cookstown, Dungannon, Coalisland, Aughnacloy and Portglenone in mid-Ulster. The practice is one of the largest in Northern Ireland, with over 30 vets.

Parklands' current directors, Jim Slaine, Ian Stewart, John Grant, Andrew Turkington, Craig McAlister, Eamon Donnelly and Philip Abernethy will remain at Parklands.

Established in October 2015, VetPartners has 107 small animal, mixed, equine and farm practices, with 4,750 employees working in more than 400 sites and from its headquarters in York.

“The veterinary world is changing fast and by joining VetPartners, Parklands Veterinary Group is in a much stronger position to continue to deliver high quality and competitive services and products throughout northern and southern Ireland,” Andrew Turkington said.

“Parklands directors believe that VetPartners is the veterinary group of choice that will provide a secure and supportive home for all its employees and continue to develop excellence for its clients. With the help and resources of VetPartners, Parklands will continue to grow and evolve throughout Ireland," he said.

To support its growth, VetPartners last year secured the support of investment company, BC Partners. VetPartners plans to expand across Europe this year and will introduce itself to the French veterinary profession when a delegation, including CEO Jo Malone, attends France Vet at Porte De Versailles exhibition centre in Paris on June 14 and 15.

“This is our first venture into Northern Ireland and we anticipate it won’t be the last,” VetPartners CEO Jo Malone said. “After building up a strong base of small animal practices, we are committed to growing our mixed, farm and equine groups, which will bring benefits of scale, local support for our teams and access to a wide range of excellent specialist services.”

Considerable consolidation has been seen in the veterinary sector in Britain over recent years.

“This deal evidences the potential for a similar trend in Northern Ireland,” Michael Hamill, senior associate at Pinsent Masons said. The company acted as an advisor to Parklands Veterinary Group.

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