IN this week's SME Focus a vet explains why he turned his back on a career caring for pets of the stars in London to help build a business in Glasgow.

Name:

Oliver Jackson.

Age?

36

What is your business called?

The Pets'n'Vets Family

Where is it based?

We are a network of eight neighbourhood veterinary practices in locations around Glasgow and the surrounding areas. Pets'n'Vets is one partnership across eight locations sharing skills, equipment and resources.

What service does it offer?

The full spectrum of veterinary care for domestic pets of all shapes and sizes. We offer everything from a nail trim to some of the most complex orthopaedic procedures.

Who does it sell to?

We offer first opinion veterinary treatment to our clients from all over Glasgow and the surrounding areas. We take second opinion cases from local veterinary practices and have a number of clients who travel from all areas of Scotland.

What is its turnover?

In seven figures and expected to grow significantly over the course of the present financial year as we open Glasgow's first veterinary 'super practice' in the autumn.

How many employees?

45.

When was it formed?

Pets'n'Vets began life more than 40 years ago when George Leslie opened the practice in Pollokshaws Road in Glasgow's southside. When George retired in 2010, existing partner Ivor Lough was joined in partnership by Ross Allan and myself. It was at this point that we became The Pets'n'Vets Family.

Why did you take the plunge?

My partners and I recognised a pressing need to group independent neighbourhood veterinary practices together to protect them. We had watched as large corporate companies began to dominate other independent professional practice market sectors, such as opticians, and were determined to maintain the tradition of quality local veterinary surgeries in and around Glasgow. We are delighted to have preserved and rejuvenated at least four longstanding local veterinary practices.

In addition to acquiring four veterinary practices, we have opened one from scratch, in East Kilbride, and launched one in Bearsden. The addition of Roundhouse Veterinary Hospital later this year will give us nine clinical locations as well as a non-clinical head office.

What were you doing before you took the plunge?

I was a regular vet and an employee, working in some excellent veterinary practices in and around London. They were exciting times; I treated some famous pets and owners, counting amongst my patients the pets of a Spice Girl, a well-known British film star, a famous DJ, several footballers and a model.

I'd moved to London to work immediately upon leaving Glasgow Vet School, having been seduced by the bright lights and, as I have some family and friends down there, it seemed an appealing option. Yet whilst I greatly enjoyed London, I found that, in reality, it was difficult to take advantage of the benefits due to the hours and location of the practices in which I worked.

When I met my wife, it soon became clear to me that, if we remained in London, I wouldn't be able to give our kids the kind of childhood that I had had growing up in Glasgow; the cost of living was just too high.

I have always been interested in the business side of veterinary practice and had made an attempt to purchase a practice in North West London.

I looked around and saw a saturated marketplace with very few opportunities to be my own boss. The only avenue appeared to be a joint venture practice with a corporate company, whereas I had always wanted to own my own business; to develop something my way.

At that moment the phone rang and it was Ivor Lough, my mentor through veterinary school. He offered me a partnership in Pets'n'Vets and I grabbed it with both hands! The idea was simple: Ivor, Ross Allan (Ivor's then-assistant) and I would form a new partnership.

I'm sure our business is unusual these days in that all three partners have a long history with the business; we all grew up within walking distance of the original practice and we all started off at the practice as school boys scrubbing kennels and helping out.

What was your biggest break?

Our biggest break (if you can call it that) was timing - we formed our partnership and implemented our business model just in time - there were a number of older veterinary surgeons who desperately wanted to retire with no obvious successor and we were able to take on those surgeries. We had just enough time to expand and consolidate, stabilising our business just ahead of a surge of corporate veterinary practices into Scotland.

What was your worst moment?

Last winter we had staff problems - morale was at an all-time low. We are a reasonably young partnership and our expansion up to that point had been at a head-spinning rate of knots. The speed of growth left little time for management development. We had failed to deal with small issues at source - those issues festered and it was a tough place to work for a little while. Happily, and with that experience under our belts, that situation stands in stark contrast to the feeling in the practices now. We have great team spirit, we work really well together, we learn really well together.

What do you most enjoy about running the business?

I am passionate about what we do and think we have incredible vets and nurses.

What do you least enjoy?

Rotas!

What are your ambitions for the firm?

We want the Pets'n'Vets Family brand to be regarded as a kite-mark for local veterinary practices; synonymous with excellent, attainable and locally available veterinary care. To that end, we have ambitious plans to open Glasgow's first veterinary 'super practice' this year which, we believe, will deliver a step change to the standard of veterinary care available in the city.

The Roundhouse Veterinary Hospital will provide comprehensive pet care seven days a week, caring for animals around the clock and providing late night consultations when required. There will be nursing staff living on-site so that animals can receive continuous treatment through the night.

What are your top priorities?

Patient care; customer service; sustainability and happy staff.

What could the Westminster government and/or Scottish government do that

would most help?

Perhaps more support for locally-owned businesses, for example, by reducing VAT and increasing funds for training and skills development.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned?

Take your opportunities as and when they appear; even if that means you have to push yourself beyond your comfort zone.

How do you relax?

I love spending time with my family and pets. To add some more balance, I recently bought a cheap, soon-to-be-classic, sports car which I enjoy tinkering with and driving.