Tom's Story

For the first ten years of Tom Cox’s veterinary career, his personal goals and ambitions were clear, as was the path to achieving them. After qualifying in 2012, Tom knew that he wanted to reach the heights of clinical excellence in his field. His passion for small animal surgery, in particular orthopaedics, led him to embark upon the journey towards becoming a European Diplomat and RCVS Specialist.

“In the earlier years of my career, there was a clear process that I needed to follow to achieve my goal. I completed a rotating internship and then my orthopaedic internship before winning my place as a resident at the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital.”

Completing his Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (Surgery) during his training, Tom ultimately passed his board exams in 2022.

“It was a moment of huge pride and relief. Ten years after committing to a dream, the years of studying, and the dedication required, I had finally reached the summit of this particular climb.”

After becoming a Diplomat, Tom quickly started developing in another longstanding area of interest, business and leadership, completing his Veterinary Business Certificate and rising to become Head of Orthopaedics.

“I had always found the non clinical aspect of referral practice fascinating and sought to immerse myself in the day to day running and management of the hospital. I knew that I loved building teams and driving performance, both clinical and non-clinical.”

It quickly dawned on Tom that he was needing a new challenge and the possibility to pursue different opportunities to forge his own path.

“I was looking at our industry and noticed that, as a specialist working in referral practice, I had the choice between staying as an employee or starting down the potentially risky and expensive path of setting up a referral hospital from scratch.”

It was whilst he was exploring potential career paths that Tom discovered Medivet’s Branch Partnership offering.

“I had been aware of Medivet and their Partnership model for a while but had assumed that this was limited to first opinion clinics. I spoke to the Branch Partnership team and learnt that all of the benefits of Partnership were available in their referral hospitals as well.”

After visiting one of Medivet’s orthopaedic referral clinics, Dogwood Referrals, Tom knew that this was an opportunity unlike anything else in the referral sector, quickly progressing through the Partnership process and was welcomed as a Branch Partner in November 2024.

“Being able to own part of the clinic is truly transformational for me and my family. I can build my team around the clinic excellence I am passionate about also organise the business in the way I think is best; all with the support of a corporate partner who takes care of all the aspects of the business I don’t want to deal with.”

Tom utilised Medivet’s ‘Deferred Payment Plan’ meaning he only needed to fund the first 10% of the equity he way purchasing, with the rest being payable at a later date that works for him.

“The idea of growing a business is hugely inspiring for me. By investing in my own future I benefit from clinic ownership twice; I get to share in the profit of the clinic in the regular monthly profit share but, more importantly, as the clinic grows I can see the value of my equity growing as well.”

Medivet’s new Branch Partnership Agreement gives Tom the security of knowing that when the time is right for him to leave he has flexible exit options where Medivet will buy back his equity at guaranteed multiples.

“Knowing that if life changes or, most likely, when I choose to retire, I have a predictable way to realise the value I have created in the clinic gives my career a completely new feel. Knowing that I am building financial security for my family alongside doing the work I love.”

Since partnering with Medivet, Tom has already set out to build relationships with the large number of local Medivet clinics and their Branch Partners as well as the already established number of non Medivet clinics that the clinic serves.

“Since my time at the University I have always valued being part of a cooperative clinical community. I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge and skills with more and more colleagues as we continue to build out the clinical offering within Medivet.”