Corporate teams from the Bristol offices of accountants Grant Thornton and law firm TLT have advised shareholders of specialist buying group Vetswest on its multi-million pound sale to major US-based veterinary supplies wholesaler.
Devon-based Vetswest, which supplies ancillary services to vets’ practices across the UK as well as acting as a group buyer of specialist products, will continue to operate as a standalone business following its acquisition by MWI Veterinary Supply Inc.
Established in 1990, Vetswest has expanded rapidly in recent years and now has 250 member practices. It negotiates improved pricing for members on specialist veterinary supplies and a range of ancillary services. 
MWI Veterinary Supply’s UK subsidiaries include Somerset-based veterinary supplies wholesaler Centaur Services.
The team from Grant Thornton was led by South West and Wales head of corporate finance Mark Naughton and included Harry Walker and Nick Jones, with shareholder tax advice provided by Richard Marsh, Claire McRea and Mike Warburton of its transaction tax team.
Mark Naughton, pictured, said: “We worked with the shareholders and management team to demonstrate the full strategic opportunity to a range of potential buyers, generating significant interest from the market.
“The sale to MWI is a positive outcome for shareholders, delivering a deal which met their expectations and a great new home for Vetswest where the management team can keep growing the business.”
The legal team from TLT was led by Alice Gardner and John Wood.
