Practice Owner - Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This is a unique opportunity to become a practice owner with Vets for Pets' flagship ownership model. You'll establish and lead a brand-new small animal practice in Newhaven, a vibrant coastal town in East Sussex with easy access to Brighton, Eastbourne and Lewes. The practice will be located within an existing Pet Care Centre, positioning you perfectly to build a strong client base from day one.

As Practice Owner, you'll have full clinical and operational autonomy to define your clinical direction, client relationships, team culture, and business strategy. You won't be subject to corporate direction on protocols, medications, or how you run the practice. This is genuinely your practice, driven by your ambitions and values.

The new facility will be purpose-built with three consult rooms, prep area and theatre, X-ray, pharmacy, laboratory, separate cat and dog wards and waiting areas, isolation ward, office and branded reception. The practice could be operational within 6–12 months, with comprehensive support from Vets for Pets to help you establish and grow your business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead clinical care and decision-making for the practice
• Build and manage your veterinary team
• Develop client relationships and practice reputation within the local community
• Oversee business operations, finances and strategic growth
• Work with Vets for Pets' support teams on recruitment, payroll, marketing, IT and HR

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon (MRCVS or equivalent)
• Experienced practitioner with a track record in small animal medicine
• Entrepreneurial mindset and commitment to building a successful practice
• Willingness to invest in your practice (£20,000 for sole ownership, or split equally with co-owners)

Benefits

• Full ownership of your practice with 100% of future profits
• Competitive salary from day one, plus dividends paid twice annually once loans are repaid
• Pension, life cover and income protection included
• Generous 28-day annual holiday package
• Business support from Vets for Pets: recruitment, finance, payroll, IT, marketing and HR
• Two-year loan repayment holiday on new practice loans
• Access to a community of fellow practice owners for peer support and networking
• 100% of goodwill and asset value when you exit, with help finding and transitioning to a new owner
• Revenue share works on a sliding scale based on net turnover (not profit), designed to maximise your business earnings
• Locum cover insurance to support you during absences or emergencies

About the Practice

Vets for Pets is a practice ownership platform designed to make veterinary entrepreneurship accessible. Rather than traditional corporate ownership, the model offers experienced vets the chance to own and operate their own practice with the backing of a support network. You retain clinical freedom, operational control and full ownership of future profits, whilst accessing expert guidance on business management, staffing, marketing and finance.

The Newhaven practice is a brand-new opening within a Pet Care Centre, offering excellent footfall and community visibility from launch. Vets for Pets will support you to recruit your team, establish systems and build the business through its first years.