Advising Bridgepoint on its investment in Identicare

We have advised Bridgepoint Growth on its investment in Identicare, a UK-based pet microchipping and pet owner-focused services company. 

Founded in 1989 by Animalcare plc, Identicare operates the UK’s longest established and largest microchipping and keeper registration database. In 2021, Identicare became a separate subsidiary company and in 2022 signed a development venture with entrepreneur Robert Diamond to help the company develop an innovative range of pet protection services for millions of UK pet lovers.

Bridgepoint acquired Identicare from the Animalcare Group, the international animal health business, for a cash consideration of £24.9 million. This investment brings significant experience to support Identicare with its strategy to grow across all areas of microchipping, registration services and real-time support for pet owners.

Commenting on the transaction, private equity partner and Head of UK M&A team, Emma Danks said: "It has been a pleasure working with the Bridgepoint Growth team again on this latest investment. It is a superb example of our Private Equity transactional and life sciences expertise coming together to deliver a successful transaction."

Private equity partner, Jonny Bethell, further commented: "With the Bridgepoint Growth support, we look forward to seeing Identicare's growth and further success under Robert Diamond's leadership."

The deal was led by partners Emma Danks and Jonny Bethell with support from associates Alexander Walker, Annick Porter-Bredero, Alice Picton, Kayla Sinclair and Erin Chu in the private equity team. Further support was provided by:

Financial Regulatory and Competition teams
Partners Charlotte Hill and Paolo Palmigiano, senior associate Elisabetta Rotondo, and associate Liam Croucher

Disputes and Investigations team
Partner Katie Chandler, senior associate Megan Howarth, and associates Matthew Caskie and David Stuart 

Employment, Pensions and Mobility teams
Partners Helen Farr and Anna Taylor, senior counsel James Watkins, and senior associate Afshan Mallik 

Patents team
Partner Alison Dennis and associate Tom Witte

Real Estate team
Partner Emma Oakley and associate Francesca Gibbs

Tax and Incentives teams
Partner Graham Samuel-Gibbon and senior associate Sally Robertson

Technology, IP and Information teams
Partner Sian Skelton and associates Laura Craig and Megan Lukins