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Simplyhealth announces sale of pet health division
Simplyhealth has sold its pet health plan business to Premier Veterinary Group PLC.
Move will enable the firm to focus on human healthcare.

Insurance firm Simplyhealth has announced the sale of its pet health division to Premier Veterinary Group PLC (PVG).

In a press release, Simplyhealth said the sale of 'The Animal Healthcare Company Ltd (AHC)' will enable the firm to focus on human healthcare.

Simplyhealth chief executive Romana Abdin, said: “We can all see how complex and fragile access to healthcare is in the UK. Through the current coronavirus pandemic, this is more evident than it ever has been and this sale will enable Simplyhealth to focus solely on everyday human healthcare, where we are seeing growing demand from our customers and where we feel we can truly make the biggest difference.”

Simplyhealth entered the pet health plan market in 2011 through the expansion of its dental capitation business model, Denplan. In 2015 it acquired AHC, and the business has since tripled in size to provide cover for more than one million pets.

Ms Abdin continued: “PVG is the best home for the next stage of our pet health plan business and we are confident that it will prosper under this new ownership. We are committed to the smoothest transition possible and will partner with PVG and support our independent vet practices and corporate clients throughout the process.”

Dominic Tonner, Chief Executive Officer of PVG, added: “I believe PVG will prove to be a great home for the customers of Simplyhealth by continuing to innovate and deliver a first-class customer experience, through our dedicated and passionate team as well as our industry-leading technology platform.

“This acquisition will further strengthen PVG and enable our dedicated team of people to develop and grow and in so doing facilitate clinics to deliver the very best in preventative pet healthcare, in its broadest sense, across the UK, Europe and USA.”

 

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.