Bath-based Independent Vetcare (IVC) has been named among the finalists for the coveted PwC West of England Business of the Year Awards – the region’s most prestigious business accolades.
IVC– the UK’s fastest-growing veterinary group – will line up against nine other firms from across the South West at the glittering awards gala dinner in September. 
The eagerly-contested awards have showcased the cream of the region’s firms since they were launched 29 years ago by accountancy giant PwC. Previous winners read like a who’s-who of the West’s most-respected companies.
The awards have maintained their unique position due to their stringent judging process. All shortlisted finalists receive a personal visit from the judges, who look for best practice in areas such as training, innovation and community engagement alongside a track record of exemplary and sustainable financial performance.
Another strength is that the awards only have two categories: for business with a turnover above £30m and for those turning over less than £30m.
IVC, which operates from more than 350 sites across the country, was founded by CEO David Hillier in 2011 with the acquisition of three practices encompassing 20 sites and backed by August Equity.
It was acquired by Summit Partners in 2014 and has undergone rapid growth, both organically and through acquisitions.
By carefully building a reputation based on ‘what is good medicine rather than good business’ it continues to acquire new practices, consciously not building a national brand and remaining sensitive to the local market. The group now employs more than 2,500 people. 
PwC regional leader Katharine Finn, pictured, said: “The shortlist optimises the very best of the West businesses. These businesses have created unique opportunities for themselves and those they employ.
“They are to be celebrated and recognised for their contribution to not only the regional economy but to the UK and overseas.”
The awards are again staged in association with business performance group Circle2Success and Devon and Cornwall Business Council.
Bath Business News is once again the awards’ official media partner with its sister titles Bristol Business News and Swindon Business News.
The awards will be handed over at a gala dinner on September 6 when guests will dine under Concorde at Aerospace Bristol, pictured below. The £19m aerospace museum and learning centre at Filton is due to open later in the year.
Last year’s £30m-plus category winner was Chipping Sodbury-based Ian Williams, which provides a range of to the property sector ranging from painting to bathroom and kitchen refurbishments and renewable energy. 
The smaller category winner was Taunton-based Ministry of Cake, which makes a range of high-quality desserts, won the category for firms with a turnover of less than £30m. The firm has since been acquired by French confectionery giant Mademoiselle Desserts.
Other recent winners have included Mitie, the high-growth Bristol-based outsourcing group, Wiltshire-based household appliance giant Dyson and Swindon construction group Beard.
The full shortlists are:
£30m turnover-plus category:
ADEY Professional Heating Solutions, based in Cheltenham
Cotteswold Dairy, based in Tewsksbury
Independent Vetcare (IVC), based in Bath
Resource Solutions Group (RSG), based in Bristol
Swallowfield, based in Somerset
St Austell Brewery, based in Cornwall
Under £30m turnover category:
Bodywise (UK), based in Bristol
Exeter Rugby Club, based in Exeter
Red Paddle, based in Helwell, Devon
Viper Innovations, based in Bristol
