IVC acquisitions of several vet practices

Initial Enforcement Orders

The CMA has served initial enforcement orders under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on 31 October 2022, on Independent Vetcare Limited; IVC Acquisition Pikco Ltd; IVC Acquisition Topco Limited; Islay New Group Holding S.A.; Société Des Produits Nestlé S.A.; Browne Holding S.à r.l.; EQT AB and [redacted], in relation to the completed acquisitions by Independent Vetcare Limited of Penrose Veterinary Group Limited; Kevin Castle (Pet Care) Ltd; Swayne & Partners Topco Limited (including Swayne & Partners Ltd); Treforest Vets (Holdings) Limited (including Treforest Veterinary Clinic Limited); Mercer & Hughes Limited; Swaffham Veterinary Centre Ltd; Anglesey Pet Clinic Ltd and Chiltern Equine Clinic (including Chiltern Veterinary Services Ltd & Chiltern Bury Farm Ltd). The initial enforcement orders all commenced on 31 October 2022.

Revocation order

The initial enforcement orders served on 31 October 2022 were subsequently revoked on 17 November 2022 by way of a revocation order served on Independent Vetcare Limited; IVC Acquisition Pikco Ltd; IVC Acquisition Topco Limited; Islay New Group Holding S.A.; Société Des Produits Nestlé S.A.; Browne Holding S.à r.l.; EQT AB and [redacted].

Reissuance of initial enforcement orders

On 17 November 2022 the CMA served initial enforcement orders under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Independent Vetcare Limited; IVC Acquisition Pikco Ltd; IVC Acquisition Topco Limited; Islay New Group Holding S.A.; Société Des Produits Nestlé S.A.;  EQT Fund Management S.à r.l. and Berkshire Partners LLC, in relation to the completed acquisitions by IVC of Penrose Veterinary Group Limited; Kevin Castle (Pet Care) Ltd; Swayne & Partners Topco Limited (including Swayne & Partners Ltd); Treforest Vets (Holdings) Limited (including Treforest Veterinary Clinic Limited); Mercer & Hughes Limited; Swaffham Veterinary Centre Ltd; Anglesey Pet Clinic Ltd and Chiltern Equine Clinic (including Chiltern Veterinary Services Ltd & Chiltern Bury Farm Ltd). The initial enforcement orders all commenced on 17 November 2022.

The text of the abovementioned orders has been published on the Competition and Markets Authority's website at https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases.

For Publicity:

The full title of the Merger Case:

Completed acquisitions by Independent Vetcare Ltd of eight independent veterinary businesses