Case Study

Making practice ownership possible

A specialist finance solution helped Dr Jake Thompson acquire an established NHS dental practice in Ashbourne and take the first step towards building Derbyshire Dental.

Opportunity

For Dr Jake Thompson, acquiring TLC4 Smiles Dental Practice was an exciting opportunity to take his first step into practice ownership and build on a well-established practice with strong potential.

With one of Ashbourne’s few remaining NHS dental contracts, the practice was well placed to meet growing demand for NHS and private dental care. The opportunity was to secure the acquisition and create a strong financial and operational foundation for future growth.

Challenges

  • The NHS contract was held within an LLP structure, creating a significant hurdle for the acquisition
  • The initial proposed structure could have triggered an NHS contract renegotiation
  • Renegotiating the contract could have put the entire acquisition at risk
  • The transaction required specialist healthcare finance and careful coordination between advisers
  • The practice also needed a new 15-year lease to support long-term investment
  • Funding was required for a six-figure acquisition

Bespoke Finance

  • Developed an alternative acquisition structure that allowed Thompson Dental Limited to become a partner in the existing LLP.
  • Protected the NHS contract and avoided the need for renegotiation
  • Secured NHS approval for the specialist structure.
  • Secured six-figure acquisition funding through Lloyds Bank
  • Helped agree a new 15-year lease for the practice premises
  • Worked closely with the legal and accountancy teams to guide the transaction through to completion
  • Identified tax efficiencies within the acquisition structure
  • Used our specialist healthcare finance knowledge and experience throughout the transaction

Outcomes

  • Dr Jake Thompson successfully acquired his first dental practice and launched Derbyshire Dental
  • NHS contract protected, remaining in place on its current terms
  • Six-figure acquisition funding and a new 15-year lease provide a platform for future investment
  • Expansion The practice has a clear opportunity to expand NHS and private dental care in the Ashbourne community.

IN SAFE HANDS

I’m incredibly excited to take this next step in my career and acquire a practice with such strong foundations and potential. With the support of Copper Swan and an excellent advisory team, I’m confident we can grow Derbyshire Dental while maintaining a strong focus on patient care and team development.

Dr Jake Thompson, Derbyshire Dental