Animalcare sells Identicare to PE group

Animalcare has announced that it has sold Identicare to private equity firm Bridgepoint for an undisclosed sum.

Identicare, which was separated from the UK pharmaceuticals business within Animalcare in March 2021, runs the UK’s oldest and largest integrated microchip sales and pet registration database.

Alongside providing individual animals with a digital ID that combines their microchip record and private keeper details, Identicare offers pet protection services in the event they are lost, missing or stolen.

The deal will see Bridgepoint acquire a majority stake in the firm, allowing Animalcare Group to accelerate its growth initiatives.

Identicare CEO, Robert Diamond, will continue to lead the business alongside Bridgepoint into the next phase of growth.

Jenny Winter, chief executive officer at Animalcare, said: “I’m very proud of what we have achieved with Identicare in recent years. This deal represents the logical next step, significantly strengthening our balance sheet and giving us additional financial flexibility and firepower as we concentrate on growing our pharmaceutical-focused animal health business.”