Business

Building The Future Of Dental Laboratories

Issue 107

An Interview with Robert Brasington, Founder of Rosemont Dental Group

In an industry often dominated by corporate buyouts and quick exits, Robert Brasington is offering a different approach.

As the Founder and Executive Director of Rosemont Dental Group, Robert is reshaping the way dental laboratories in the UK are acquired and managed. The group’s model aims to partner with dental laboratory owners, helping them drive their businesses forward, rather than simply buying them out.

Rather than following the typical model where corporate buyers acquire 100% of a business and the original owner steps away, Rosemont Dental Group offers a more collaborative partnership. “We’re looking to acquire strong, well-established businesses with talented management teams,” says Robert. “But we also want to keep the sellers involved. They stay on as part-owners, continuing to manage the business while benefiting from our investment and strategic support.” This unique model focuses on sustainable collaboration, ensuring that both the business and the people behind it continue to thrive.

Robert’s journey into the business world is anything but conventional. Raised in Newcastle, he initially pursued a career in tennis. “I was fortunate to have incredibly supportive parents who allowed me to dedicate a lot of time to tennis. But by the age of 16, I knew I wasn’t good enough to make it as a professional.” This led him to Durham University, where he studied sport, exercise and physical activity focused on performance psychology, a field that ultimately sparked his interest in business.

“I saw a clear connection between the mindset of elite athletes and successful business executives,” he recalls. “That’s when I realised, I wanted to take my passion for performance and apply it in the business world.”

While coaching tennis alongside university, Robert had an unexpected break that would change his life. Through a chance meeting with a personal assistant for an ultrahigh-net-worth individual, he found himself on Sir Richard Branson’s Necker and Moskito private islands in the British Virgin Islands, coaching tennis. “It was an incredible opportunity,” he says. “I was inspired by the level of innovation and value these entrepreneurs had created. I knew then that I wanted to build something meaningful myself.”

Upon returning to the UK, Robert threw himself into the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). “I cold-emailed and messaged a lot of people, trying to build a board of directors who believed in the RDG vision and had the experience I didn’t have as a 22-year-old.” With persistence, he succeeded in assembling a team, which now includes an impressive board led by Executive Chair Kieran Callan.

Initially, Robert and his team looked at acquiring dental practices, but they quickly found that the market was already saturated with big players. “We were struggling to raise capital because valuations were high and the competition fierce,” he explains. That’s when the focus shifted to dental laboratories. “We saw a huge opportunity on the laboratory side. Most corporates buy 100% of the business, and the seller often leaves. That’s where we’re different. We take a majority stake, but we want the original owners to stay involved, so they still have equity in the business. Additionally, whereas practices look to optimise chair time and upskill their staff; we saw greater opportunity for value-add within laboratories. We see huge potential in digital equipment investments and Clinical Dental Technicians training support.”

Rosemont Dental Group recently completed its first acquisition: Griffen Dental Laboratory in Byfleet, South West London. “We’re thrilled to have partnered with the two owners who share our vision and commitment,” says Robert. “We’ve got several more deals in the pipeline, and we’re aiming to close at least one other transaction by Christmas.”

Interestingly, Robert’s model doesn’t involve rebranding the businesses they acquire. “We believe in preserving the legacy of the businesses we invest in. Griffen Dental Laboratory will remain Griffen, but as a member of the Rosemont Dental Group. We don’t want to disrupt the relationships they’ve built with their clients or destroy any acquired value by being heavy handed; it really is a partnership.”

At just 24 years old, Robert Brasington is at the helm of a rapidly growing company. Now living in Teddington, Richmond upon Thames, he remains connected to his roots in Newcastle’s Little Benton. The journey from aspiring tennis player to business executive has been anything but straightforward, but Robert’s determination and vision have already begun to pay off.

For dental laboratory owners looking for a partner to help them grow, Robert offers an open door. “We’re here to collaborate, not take over. We want to drive businesses forward together, for the long term.”

Interested in learning more about Rosemont Dental Group’s unique approach to acquisitions? Get in touch with Robert and his team to explore partnership opportunities.

www.rosemontdentalgroup.com

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