Head of Technology

This represents a very significant career opportunity with one of the UK’s fastest growing companies.  Our client, Vets Now, is seeking a talented and ambitious technology leader with a real passion for delivering a great customer experience.

Vets Now operates a pet emergency service across the UK. With 58 out of hours clinics and three Hospitals (which offer 24/7 care), the company has grown over the last 18 years to care for over 150,000 pets per annum with a turnover of c£50M.

In January 2019 Vets Now became part of the Independent Vetcare (IVC) Group, a market-leading veterinary group in the UK which has grown rapidly over the last few years, predominantly through acquisition. Vets Now is one of the largest businesses within IVC and remains a standalone business within the Group, being run as such with a wholly separate management team as well as systems and processes. Now employing over 1000 people, Vets Now continues to have ambitious growth plans, with projections over the next 5 years seeing the company growing to over £70M turnover.

Vets Now are looking to recruit a Head of Technology who will be responsible for leading and shaping a best in class, resilient IT function as the business delivers its next period of growth.  As a multi-site 24/7 pet emergency service the business recognises its heavy reliance on having the right systems and technology in place to ensure that clients and their pets receive the care they need at the time they need it most. The clinical staff of the business also need consistent access to robust technology to enable them to deliver their care, which by its nature is often in a life or death situation.

Vets Now needs to develop its IT function from its current position as a service provider to being an enabler of business change, whilst ensuring strong controls and a robust infrastructure. This will include developing the culture of the function with particular focus on being highly visible in the business and delivering excellent customer service to it.

The Head of Technology will take a strategic and sustainable approach to the business’ systems and technologies, ensuring the quality and availability of Vets Now’s front-line services across its clinics and hospitals.  The successful candidate will have extensive commercial experience having operated at a senior management level and will be required to influence senior level management and key stakeholders across the business.  The Head of Technology will have an in-depth knowledge of IT best practice and a good understanding of industry trends and developments.  Alongside having responsibility for ensuring the right systems, processes and controls are in place, a key part of the role will be to provide strong leadership for the team and develop people’s skills and capabilities, allowing them to release their potential.

Interested candidates should send their CV, with full remuneration details, to Adam Brown, of FWB Park Brown at applications@fwbparkbrown.com. For a confidential discussion, please call 0131 539 7087.