HeartVets, the UK’s largest cardiology referral practice has become an Employee Owned Trust (EOT).

The practice, which has nine clinicians (including three RCVS Recognised Specialists), eleven RVNs, two human-trained cardiac physiologists and a dedicated referral administrator is the first referral practice in the UK to become an EOT.

Dave Dickson, a director alongside Jo Harris, said: "The decision to transition the clinical side of the business into employee ownership was led by the core values of the team and the desire to preserve our independence as a referral service.

"In an industry dominated by corporate acquisitions, with business models increasingly focused on keeping referral offerings within the corporate groups and limiting choice for clients, we felt it was crucial to chart a different course.

"We have a very bonded and supportive team, working together to continuously improve and evolve, where the ideas of every team member are important and all roles are equally appreciated.

"We feel that employee ownership aligns perfectly with this ethos.

Jo Harris added: “By involving all our employees in the ownership of the business, we aim to foster a culture of engagement and collaboration.

"This new structure ensures that every team member has a stake in the success of the business and a voice in how it operates.

"We believe this will not only enhance our service quality but also promote sustainable growth and innovation.

"The transition to employee ownership is not just a change in structure; it is a reaffirmation of our values and a pledge to our patients, clients, and partners that we will continue to strive for excellence in every aspect of our work.”

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