Waseema's Story

Waseema Iqbal is one of Medivet’s newest Branch Partners, and like many vets, had arrived at the point in her career where she was looking for more.

Having qualified in Warsaw in 2018, Waseema returned to the UK and started work in an independent small animal practice enjoying the case load variety and building relationships with her team and clients.

Already a leader in her practice, Waseema had always been ambitious to invest in her future. Knowing that specialisation wasn’t for now, and wanting to seek progression within the clinical world, Waseema wanted a challenge and an opportunity to invest in something she loved - being a first opinion small animal vet.

“I knew that I loved having clinical autonomy and the opportunity to provide the very best care for my patients but I always knew that I wanted to own my own clinic.”

Waseema applied for the role of Lead Vet at the Medivet Hampstead Garden Suburbs clinic in the spring of 2024.

“I’ve loved joining the clinic at Hampsted Garden Suburbs. The team is incredibly close knit and we definitely feel part of a wider clinical community across Medivet. The support the team receives from our Support Centre really allows us to focus on the clinical care we provide.”

But it was only after applying for the role with Medivet that Waseema became aware of Medivet’s clinic co-ownership model, called Branch Partnership.

“I had been considering a number of different avenues towards practice ownership. Opening up your own clinic is such a big step and there are so many things you have to learn. There were other corporate offerings but I didn’t feel like they were true partnerships with aligned motivations and aspirations.”

As soon as her local support team made Waseema aware of Branch Partnership, she had the opportunity to meet a member of the Branch Partnership team. After learning how it worked and the benefits it brought, her decision was quickly made – and within 10 short weeks, Waseema had formally become a Partner in the Medivet Hamstead Garden Suburb clinic.

“After meeting with Reena, a member of the Branch Partnership team, it was a really straightforward process. I was invited to an ‘Insights Day’ at head office where I met all the key stakeholders who provide tailored support for each clinic. I was able to bring my husband along so that we both received a comprehensive financial illustration as well as the opportunity to ask as many questions as we wanted. We both came away feeling that we knew exactly what Partnership was and how it functioned in much more detail. The potential fears we had were quickly put to rest as we were walked through the finer details at our own pace.”

And when it came to deciding which clinic matched her aspirations Waseema was given a number of different proposals.

“There were a couple of different clinics available of differing sizes, establishment and scope for growth. Valuations and forecasts were drawn up for each one so that we could make the investment that matched my ambitions and best suited me and my family. Once I had chosen my clinic it was a case of drawing up the Agreement and everything else was taken care of.”

Following the formal completion of the deal, Waseema embarked on her bespoke Onboarding Journey, spending time with all of the colleagues who provide specialized support for Partners in clinic. 

‘I was amazed how many team members made the effort to walk me through their roles and how they can make my life easier as a Branch Partner and clinician. From HR, Marketing and Financial reporting to Clinical and Operational support; I really felt part of a team. Knowing that all these subject matter experts were there to support me gives me the confidence to focus on what I do best; looking after my patients and clients.”

With Branch Partners needing to initially invest just 10% of the value of the equity being purchased, Waseema didn’t need to take out a bank loan and is already starting to see the rewards of her business ownership.

“The clinic is already growing, meaning I can see an increase in my monthly earnings but more importantly the value of the equity I have purchased. The new Medivet Partnership model also gives Partners guaranteed buy-back options giving them the security that they can access the value they have created in their business as it grows. It made the decision to commit a lot easier knowing that I wasn’t tying myself to something until the day I retire and that, when the time comes I can very easily get access to the value I have created in growing my business without worrying about finding someone to buy it.”

And as a new Branch Partner, Waseema joins a growing network of Medivet Branch Partners across the country,

“It made a huge difference to be able to speak with existing Branch Partners and learn from their experiences. With quarterly meetings with the Medivet Executive and the annual Branch Partner Congress, there are lots of opportunities for Branch Partners to interact and engage with one another, learn of the latest initiatives and clinical developments and guide the direction in which Medivet continues to grow.

“I love the fact that we have Branch Partners from every corner of our business; all over the country, in small clinics and hospitals. It really makes me feel part of something bigger than just me and my team.”

When asked about her future, Waseema embraces what it is to be a practice owner,

“Partnership with Medivet gave me the best of both worlds. I can own and run my own clinic with complete clinical autonomy, but with all of the support that comes from being part of a connected community. I love the fact that I can share in the benefits of a successful clinic today, but also be excited about what can be achieved in the years ahead - building my future alongside my clinic and Medivet.”

If you would like to find out more about becoming a Branch Partner please contact one of our team for a confidential conversation.