A rapidly-expanding UK veterinary group now operates from 169 sites, having formed just six years ago from a single location.

Linnaeus, which is based in Friars Gate, Solihull, recently acquired four new practices during the Coronavirus pandemic and despite lockdown. Its portfolio now includes 12 referral centres and 44 primary care practices.

The group, which was established in 2014 with just a single site and 120 staff, is now part of Mars Veterinary Health and employs nearly 3,400 people across the UK, 70 per cent of whom are veterinary and nursing professionals.

Linnaeus’s meteoric growth has seen it become well established among the veterinary industry’s ‘Big Six’, with the group steadily acquiring high-quality practices which share its vision of creating a better world for pets.

Its continued investment in high-quality practices has also seen the £5m launch of the industry-leading Paragon Veterinary Referrals, in Wakefield; a major £1.5m upgrade and expansion project at Southfields Veterinary Specialists, in Essex; and significant expansions at both Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service, in Solihull, and North Downs Specialist Referrals, in Surrey.

The group’s management team has recently expanded and is led by CEO Bart Johnson who joined the group last year, bringing with him extensive experience of leading organisations through rapid growth and is well-known for improving the quality and services for patients and their families.

Bart said: “We are delighted that even during the lockdown we have been able to welcome four outstanding practices to the Linnaeus family. We choose to partner with industry-leading practices which fit well with our quality ethos and values.

“Being part of a global business, there are huge development opportunities across the group for our colleagues, while we always invest heavily in our practices to ensure we continue to deliver the highest level of care for pets and the best customer experience for clients.

“We support our people while enabling them to retain their local brand characteristics, thereby keeping the confidence of their clients, many of whom will have been with them for many years.”

As well as acquisitions and investment in practices, Linnaeus has also underlined its status as one of the country’s leading vet groups by providing a two-year graduate development programme aimed at mentoring the next generation of vets.

For more information about Linnaeus, visit www.linnaeusgroup.co.uk or search for Linnaeus on LinkedIn.