ANTPWERP – European private equity firm Gimv has agreed to acquire a minority stake in Equine Care Group (ECG) from Belgian family-owned investor CNP, the companies said on Thursday, in a deal aimed at accelerating the veterinary group’s international growth.
Under the definitive agreements, CNP will remain the lead strategic partner and majority owner of ECG, a provider of equine hospitals, veterinary services, and nutritional products.
Gimv joins existing shareholders CNP, Bencis, the founders, and managers, forming a shareholder base united behind a plan to establish ECG as the world’s leading one-stop partner for equine medicine.
Founded in 2021, ECG operates a vet-led holistic model, treating over 50,000 horses annually and has expanded through more than 30 acquisitions. The group plans to leverage the investment to build new hospitals in underserved regions and bolster its innovation and research initiatives.
Bart Diels, Managing Partner and Head of Healthcare at Gimv, cited clear parallels between ECG and the firm’s previous successful healthcare investments, highlighting the potential to support international expansion.
CNP’s CEO Xavier Le Clef and CFO David Caudron welcomed Gimv’s healthcare expertise, stating it complements their ambition to deliver world-class equine care globally.
ECG’s CEO, Dr. Tom Mariën, said the partnership would help professionalize the company and the wider sector while raising standards of care.
The investment positions ECG as one of Gimv’s ten largest holdings and supports the private equity firm’s ambition to strengthen its footprint in European healthcare.