British giant IVC Evidensia, Europe's largest veterinary care corporation, has completed the takeover of Hospital Veterinari de Catalunya. This operation, the result of over three years of discussions, marks a change of ownership for the Catalan group, co-founded in 1986 by David Vives and Vicenç Junyent.
The sale has been formalized and registered in the Official Gazette of the Mercantile Registry (BORME), with the revocation of previous directors and the appointment of IVC Evidensia España SL, represented by Antonio Clemente Collado, as sole administrator.
Judit Vives, daughter of David Vives and co-leader of the group alongside Vicenç Junyent since her father's passing two years ago, has expressed her conviction that continuing the project, based on excellence and commitment, is the best tribute. For his part, David Campos, expansion director at IVC Evidensia, highlighted respect for the legacy and values of the Catalan group.
This acquisition is part of a triple operation that also includes the incorporation of a veterinary hospital in Portugal and another hospital group and a specialty clinic in Spain. IVC Evidensia operates in over 22 countries and has a network of 2,500 clinics and 204 hospitals across Europe.
The Spanish veterinary sector, with an annual turnover exceeding 2.85 billion euros, is increasingly attracting private equity. This trend is expected to accelerate market consolidation, with a significant percentage of clinics and hospitals belonging to funds and large corporations by 2030. This integration offers an exit for founders facing operational wear and administrative burden, although it implies a reconfiguration of the traditional care model.
