Enrique Cardona is the new COO of UNAVETS Group and Country Manager of UNAVETS Spain, a leading veterinary healthcare platform in the Iberian Peninsula. Enrique recently held the position of General Director of the Vetsum Group, a group of 23 important veterinary hospitals of great prestige, which offer sophisticated specialized care. Under his leadership, Vetsum formed one of the largest veterinary groups in terms of turnover in the Spanish market.
Enrique has in-depth knowledge of the sector and has witnessed the progression and development of the UNAVETS Group since its inception, and comments: “UNAVETS is a very credible competitor and player in the Iberian market. Upon completion of my latest project I did not hesitate to join the UNAVETS project with which I share key values - a veterinary group where the leading role is focused on clinical teams, where quality and excellence are the only path to success, further reinforced by investment in training and clinical development supported with the best equipment to guarantee excellence in veterinary medicine and the health of our patients.”
During the last 25 years Enrique has developed a long career in human and veterinary health. Prior to his entry into the veterinary sector, Enrique held senior management positions in the human health hospital sector, such as in the business development of nursing homes or as head of international markets for a US multinational dedicated to second opinion healthcare and telemedicine. His extensive experience in the human health sector has also allowed him to contribute these experiences to the veterinary sector.
Junko Sheehan, Executive Chairman and Group CEO, comments: “I believe Enrique’s leadership and operational track record will be a pillar of strength for our group. Enrique will continue to build the platform, focusing on reinforcing our organic growth and healthcare excellence. Our clinical team are at the core of our value proposition, and Enrique will help us further execute to that vision as we continue our growth from the current 83 veterinary centers across Iberia.”
The UNAVETS Group occupies a leadership position in the veterinary health market in Iberia (through UNAVETS in Spain and Onevet in Portugal), developing in 2.5 years a group that offers shared services and commercial development support to its more than 80 veterinary centers and more than 850 team members. The group is made up of reference/specialized centres, 24-hour hospitals, primary opinion clinics and doctor’s offices, which guarantee a comfortable and complete service. The plans focus on continuing with its growth strategy in Iberia, the United States and other European countries, while developing new lines of services, innovating with digital commitment internally and with its customers, and promoting training and scientific development within the clinical team. For more information visit: www.unavets.com
UNAVETS was financed in December 2019 with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management L.P. a leader among global investment managers specializing in alternative investments, with $164 billion under management in assets as of March 31, 2022. The firm emphasizes an opportunistic, value-oriented and risk-controlled approach to investments in credit, private equity, real assets and listed shares. The company has more than 1,000 employees and offices in 20 cities around the world. For more information, visit Oaktree’s website at www.oaktreecapital.com.
