The survey for the quarter ending October 31, 2018 has illustrated a number of trends that seem to be becoming more prevalent in the sector.
This quarter saw a reduction in the average goodwill values of all types of practice. NHS sales saw an average goodwill value of 177 per cent of gross fees – down from 224 per cent. Fully private practice sales were at an average goodwill value of 104 per cent of gross fees – down from 125 per cent in the quarter ending July 31, 2018. Finally, even mixed practices – one of the great performers of recent years, saw a slight reduction from 111 per cent of gross fees to 108 per cent.
Alan Suggett, specialist dental accountant and partner in UNW LLP who compiles the goodwill survey, said, “Although there has been a drop in both valuations and deals, I would want to see the next quarter’s figures before deciding on whether or not this is a trend or simply a blip.”
“There are still a number of issues in the UK dental practice sales market. Geography is a consistently important factor; it is simply more difficult to sell practices in certain areas of the country. I have also heard from a number of sources that a lack of availability of associates is causing some NHS practice owners to worry about hitting targets. This may be related to Brexit and it will be interesting to see what effect this may have on the market.”
Alan also noted, “There is ever increasing private equity interest in acquiring larger practices, or small groups – a new entrant to the market is Apposite Capital which has invested in ‘Riverdale Healthcare’ which recently bought the ‘Alpha Vitality Group’ in the North East.”
The goodwill figures are collated from accountant and lawyer members of NASDAL on a quarterly basis in order to give a useful guide to the practice sales market. These figures relate to the quarter ending October 31, 2018.
NASDAL reminds all that as with any averages, these statistics should be treated as a guideline only.