DNA Partnership Vision and Values With Group Director Dane Walker

DNA Vetcare Practice Partnerships can feel like a legal maze – this video breaks it down in plain English. If you’re thinking about buying in to become a partner in a DNA practice, or you’re a vet owner exploring Vet Practice Partnerships with DNA Vetcare, this is your deep dive into how it really works.

Corporate partner and veterinary sector specialist Andrew Hawkins (Warner Solicitors) joins DNA to walk through the legal structure behind DNA Vetcare Practice Partnerships, from share purchase agreements and shareholders’ agreements, to exits, death, dilution and what “fair value” actually means in practice.

You’ll hear how the model has been tested with other reputable law firms, why all partners sign identical core documents, and how the structure aims to balance:

• DNA Vetcare’s need to protect its investment and control the group
• Partners’ need for fairness, transparency and real influence in their own practice

In this video, we cover:

• How DNA Vetcare Practice Partnerships are structured legally (limited company, not a traditional “partnership”)
• The key documents: share purchase agreement, investment/shareholders’ agreement, articles of association & service (employment) agreement
• Typical share splits (e.g. 75% DNA / 25% partner, up to 49%) and what “significant minority” really means
• How control and decision-making are shared between DNA Vetcare and partners
• Day-to-day operational freedom vs “reserved matters” that need DNA Vetcare board approval
• Protection of shareholders: consistent contracts, drag/tag rights, valuation rules and leaver provisions
• How partners can buy in, increase or sell down their stake in a DNA Vetcare practice over time
• Exits: good leaver vs bad leaver, voluntary exits, DNA group sale and what happens on death or incapacity
• How succession planning works (bringing a junior vet through into equity)
• Why DNA Vetcare insists on fairness, equal treatment and encourages independent legal advice

If you’re serious about buying in to becoming partner in a DNA Vetcare practice, this conversation will help you understand the risk, protection and upside built into the structure – before you sign anything.

Who should watch?

• Vets considering buying into a DNA Vetcare Practice Partnership
• Existing practice owners thinking of selling to DNA Vetcare and rolling over equity
• Senior associates / clinical directors who want to understand what “partner” really means legally
• Anyone comparing different Vet Practice Partnership models and wanting clarity on control, value and fairness