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Good for business – or profit at any cost? The controversial side of private equity – a visual explainer
UK NewsBusiness•June 29, 2026 at 7:00 AMNational

Good for business – or profit at any cost? The controversial side of private equity – a visual explainer

By Anna Leach, Prina Shah , Carmen Aguilar García and Ed Gargan•The Guardian - UK News

While it can transform firms for better or worse, the use of private equity in essential services is attracting scrutiny. Here we examine some of its more contentious elements in the UK veterinary sectorPrivate equity could be the two most controversial words in business. For its supporters, it can bring investment, expertise and efficiency to a company. For critics, it is a one way ticket to profiteering, cutting costs and losing staff.The arguments over private equity are particularly fierce when it is used in the public sector, particularly the NHS. Continue reading...

While it can transform firms for better or worse, the use of private equity in essential services is attracting scrutiny. Here we examine some of its more contentious elements in the UK veterinary sector

Private equity could be the two most controversial words in business. For its supporters, it can bring investment, expertise and efficiency to a company. For critics, it is a one way ticket to profiteering, cutting costs and losing staff.

The arguments over private equity are particularly fierce when it is used in the public sector, particularly the NHS.

Continue reading...