GVE Vets: love for animals will always be the driving force
James Cahill grew up in Ireland. As a young boy he couldn’t take his eyes off the TV series All Creatures Great and Small. The adventures of village vet James Herriot confirmed what he already knew: that’s what I want to be when I grow up. And James did run veterinary practices for many years. Today, he is the energetic founder and director of GVE Vets, with several veterinary practices in the Netherlands.
With Baker Tilly at his side, he is building a healthy organisation with a focus on the future. Driven by the belief that every animal deserves the best possible care, this entrepreneur summarises his leadership style as: ‘Everybody’s opinion counts. The best ideas come from the front line, not the board room.’
James and GVE Vets
‘Animals have always fascinated me, particularly horses. They’re such impressive, beautiful and strong animals.’ So it was no surprise when James, aged 59, joined a practice in England in 1998, specialising in equine veterinary care. While his passion for animals continued to be his driving force, his entrepreneurial spirit began to draw him to the business side of the veterinary world.
He eventually ended up at CVS Group, an international chain of veterinary practices. ‘That was the first time I’d be working in a large team. I thought: Let’s just try it!” James became Director of Clinical Operations for Ireland, England and the Netherlands and later Managing Director CVS International.
Following a successful year, he found a new chapter awaiting him in the Netherlands. ‘CVS had over twenty practices here, but they weren’t running as they’d hoped. They decided to focus on England and Australia. and I was given the opportunity to acquire all the Dutch clinics for a symbolic sum. It was my starting point in establishing Global Veterinary Excellence (GVE).’ A fresh start with a clear mission: provide the best care for animals and a great workplace for vets.
Daily practice
GVE Vets now has 23 veterinary practices in the North East of the Netherlands, with between 200 and 250 employees. From dogs, cats and rabbits to the horses that are still close to James’s heart: animal care quality always takes priority.
His working day starts early. ‘I’ll be checking the figures and cash flow at 6.30 am, followed by meetings with the Board and management. I visit our practices in the Netherlands every other week and I’m often in Emmeloord, one of our biggest sites.’
Does he ever miss treating animals? ‘Sometimes. I only ever wanted to be a vet. But my current role feels just as important: making sure that our vets enjoy their work and perform at the top of their game.’
Challenges in the veterinary world
The sector is facing major challenges. Pet numbers escalated considerably since the coronavirus pandemic, which has increased veterinary practice workloads. Personnel costs have also increased, while customers are having to keep a critical eye on their own costs.
It’s something my team and I talk about a lot so we can find solutions together. I firmly believe that the best ideas come from the front line and everyone is welcome to contribute to solutions. That’s the only way to move forward.
Partnership with Baker Tilly
James already had links with Baker Tilly while working at CVS Group and Marcel Beerse, Accountancy & Advice Partner, always maintained good contact with James. So, when he decided to change direction with GVE Vets in 2024, James immediately thought of Marcel. ‘I needed a partner that could support us across the board. From management accounting and valuation to taxation and compliance.’
The partnership became official in January 2025. ‘The contact is open and honest and they’re always on hand. The Baker Tilly team has a great sense of what’s possible and where the problems lie. They’re pragmatic, specialised and always available, even outside office hours.’
Looking to the future
The primary focus lies on ensuring that the practices in the Netherlands are profitable and stable, after which James wants to expand, but in a measured way. ‘We’re not aiming for thousands of practices. Around fifty would be great. And perhaps outside the Netherlands too.’ He sees Baker Tilly as his permanent business partner in this. ‘Their international network is a perfect match for our ambitions. Together, we’ll be able to continue expanding.’
Passion remains key
James no longer spends his days in the surgery but his passion for animals is still the driving force. ‘I may no longer be a practising vet, but my work still revolves and will always revolve around animals and their welfare. It’s just that my contribution has changed. I’m now leading an organisation in which care and an enjoyable workplace go hand in hand. That’s it!'
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