Press release


Antwerp, Loverval & Lummen (BE), 27 November 2025, 07:30 CET



Gimv joins forces with CNP to accelerate the global expansion
of Equine Care Group
• European listed private equity investor Gimv and Belgian family-owned investor CNP
announce the signing of definitive agreements under which Gimv will acquire an indirect
minority stake in Equine Care Group (ECG) from CNP, which will remain ECG’s lead strategic
partner.
• By joining CNP, Bencis, the founders, managers and the veterinarians, Gimv becomes part
of a very strong shareholder base united behind one ambition: to accelerate ECG’s
development into the world’s leading one-stop partner for high-quality equine medicine,
and to reinforce ECG’s position as the global leader for veterinary innovation, welfare, and
professional excellence.

Created in 2021 by merging Dr. Tom Mariën’s Bart Diels, Managing Partner – Head of
leading equine clinic EquiTom, Global Medics, Healthcare at Gimv: “As a team with a strong
and Dr. Frederik Bruyninx's Ambulatory Care track record in doctor-led healthcare growth
practice, Equine Care Group has evolved into stories, we see clear parallels between ECG
a leading European provider of high-quality and our previous healthcare success stories.
equine care. ECG offers equine hospitals, We are excited to support CNP and ECG’s
ambulatory veterinary services, reproductive management in accelerating the group’s
solutions, nutrition and supplement brands and international expansion and innovation in
specialized laboratories. Known for partnering equine care.”
with Olympic teams and leading stud farms,
ECG treats over 50,000 horses annually and has Xavier Le Clef & David Caudron – respectively
grown quickly through organic expansion and CEO and CFO at CNP: “We are pleased to
30+ acquisitions. welcome Gimv as a minority investor,
supporting ECG’s international growth. Gimv’s
Following the partnership announcement healthcare expertise complements CNP’s
between CNP and ECG earlier this year, Gimv ambition and reinforces our shared mission to
now joins through a joint entity that will retain deliver world-class equine care and make this
majority ownership, with CNP as lead strategic available all over the world.”
partner. Gimv is committed to further support
ECG’s global expansion alongside CNP and Dr. Tom Mariën & Julie Santens - respectively
CEO Dr. Tom Mariën. ECG’s vet-led unique CEO and Managing Director at ECG: “We are
holistic model brings together leading delighted to welcome Gimv into our team. We
veterinarians and other equine healthcare share the same values, the same DNA and the
professionals, invests in greenfield hospitals in same ambition. This partnership strengthens our
regions lacking access and focuses on foundations, and Gimv’s renowned healthcare
research, education and innovation, all with expertise will help us to further professionalize
the clear goal of delivering the best possible our company and our sector. Together we will
medical care and improving horse welfare raise the standards of equine veterinary care
worldwide. while preserving our veterinarian-led model.”

With the combined support of CNP, Bencis and This investment supports Gimv's ambition to
now Gimv, ECG is well-positioned to cement its become a leading European private equity
leadership in global equine healthcare, investor and makes ECG one of its ten largest
leveraging Belgium’s deep equestrian tradition holdings.
and ECG’s international reputation for
excellence and sustainability.




Gimv NV - Karel Oomsstraat 37, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium - T +32 3 290 21 00 - www.gimv.com 1
Antwerp, Loverval & Lummen (BE), 27 November 2025, 07:30 CET

Press release




About Gimv

Gimv is a European investment company, listed
on Euronext Brussels and a member of the
Euronext BEL ESG Index. With over 45 years'
experience in private equity, Gimv currently
manages an investment portfolio of EUR 2 billion.
The portfolio contains about 60 portfolio
companies, with combined turnover of EUR 4.5
billion and more than 20,000 employees.

As a recognized market leader in selected
investment platforms, Gimv identifies
entrepreneurial, innovative companies with high
growth potential and supports them in their
transformation into market leaders. Gimv's five
investment platforms are Consumer, Healthcare,
Life Sciences, Smart Industries and Sustainable
Cities. Each platform works with an experienced
team across Gimv’s home markets of Benelux,
France and DACH, supported by an extended
international network of experts.

Further information on Gimv can be found on
www.gimv.com.

For further information please contact:

Bart Diels
Managing Partner – Head of Healthcare*
T +32 3 290 21 58
bart.diels@gimv.com

* Acting on behalf of a company




Gimv NV - Karel Oomsstraat 37, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium - T +32 3 290 21 00 - www.gimv.com 2