A finance solution from Syscap Professions helped ease the strain of opening a leading-edge equestrian veterinary practice in Northern Ireland

Mark and Dawn Cubberley successfully launched Ards Equine Surgery, a family owned and run veterinary practice, in July 2005. Located near Bangor in County Down, Ards Equine, supported by some of the latest technology in veterinary medicine, provides a full equine veterinary service, including the first equine gastroscopy service in Northern Ireland. Other treatments range from vaccinations and dental services to ultrasound scanning, artificial insemination, a 24-hour emergency service and lameness examinations. In addition, the practice offers a second opinion/referral service for other veterinary surgeons.

Mark Cubberley has been involved with horses since he was very young, riding ponies in competition from the age of seven. He graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London in 1992 and started work in a mixed practice in Devon, where he later became a partner. Mark gained his certificate in equine internal medicine in 2001 and has since worked in specialist equine practices in Cambridgeshire and Sussex. In 2004 he was invited to be an examiner for the certificate in equine medicine (internal medicine) by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Mark has officiated at endurance riding events both nationally and internationally, including being a team veterinary surgeon for the Great Britain under-21 endurance squad.

Mark's wife Dawn is a trained accountant and helps Mark with the day-to-day management of the practice. Whilst caring for their two children, Dawn supports the business and also contributes a lifetime of equestrian knowledge and experience.

Mark explained: “Equestrian medical equipment doesn't come cheap and there were several items which we just couldn't afford to pay for outright. I considered hire purchase but leasing the equipment seemed like a much more tax efficient solution.”

Mark continued: “Being in Northern Ireland we knew that not all finance providers would be willing to work with us. I contacted a couple of companies that specialise in medical finance. They were happy to help, but would only offer us finance for one bit of kit, not the three we needed. Veterinary suppliers EV Veterinary suggested that Syscap Professions might be able to help.”

Syscap Professions veterinary team has an in-depth understanding of how practices are regulated through their professional bodies and the implications affecting finance and leasing. The flexible finance options for professional practices include finance lease, operating lease, lease purchase, hire purchase, contract hire, practice loans and a Professional Interim Finance Facility (PIFF), which helps companies maximise cashflow until they can enjoy the benefits of their new resources. All types of equipment can be financed by Syscap Professions.

Mark and Dawn Cubberley were provided with finance for a digital video endoscopy system with 1.5m and 3m endoscopes, a computed radiography system including x-ray generator and digital ultrasound with 7.5mHz and 3mHz probes, totalling an approximate cost of £70,000. Syscap Professions' finance solution allowed the Cubberleys to delay repayments on the equipment until it was fully installed and operational, enabling them to free-up cash to invest elsewhere in their business. “Syscap Professions saved me a great deal of time and effort”, said Mark. “They really helped take the difficulty out of what was turning out to be quite a complex task.”

Mark Gidge, Director of Syscap Professions said: “Organising three separate lease agreements was turning out to be a logistical nightmare for Mark and Dawn Cubberley. Unlike banks, building societies and other finance providers, Syscap Professions isn't bound to using a single funder, which allows us to help practices where others would fail. Setting up a new practice is often a complicated affair. Syscap Professions has a wealth of experience in the veterinary sector and we were able to put it to good use, providing the Cubberleys with a complete flexible and cost effective finance solution.”