Meet the team

Simon Knighton re-joined {my}dentist in September 2022, having previously worked in the business from 2013-2019. During his time away from the business, Simon headed up the Acquisitions and Integrations Team and Strategy for a smaller corporate to help them double in size in a rapid period, taking them from 16 sites to the mid 30s.

Prior to this, Simon joined the group in 2013 from a dental transaction, where he operated and managed a group of 7 practices. On joining the {my}dentist team, Simon quickly moved into the acquisition team, where he supported on the delivery of growing the business to the position it is current in.

Before moving into dentistry, Simon qualified with a BA Hons degree in Education and taught in the secondary education for 9 years, heading up many year group teams and managing 90 staff in the special educational needs department.

‘I am delighted to be back at {my}dentist to recommence our acquisition journey into the future’.

Reena Virdee joined IDH in September 2021, having worked extensively in UK and European healthcare markets over the past 10 years.

Most recently, I was the Director of Strategy and M&A for Schoen Clinic, one of the Europe’s leading mental health and hospital groups. Prior to this, I spent 7 years at PwC in their Healthcare Transactions Services team. Here I managed and delivered over 80 strategic engagements, both M&A transactions and corporate strategy projects, across the health and social care landscape. I worked with the market’s leading providers and on the largest transactions, advising private equity, sovereign wealth funds, corporates and private offices investing in the sector.

Reena graduated with a First-Class degree in Biochemistry from Oxford University.

Brenda joined {my}dentist in December 2004 as Head Nurse at a practice in York. Being part of a large corporate has enabled Brenda to develop her skills and progress throughout the business as a Practice Manager and then as an Area Manager, before joining the M&A team in September 2012. As an Area Manager, Brenda looked after the running of 14 practices ensuring they maintained staff, hit contract targets year on year as well as developing and mentoring staff in her area.

Since being in the M&A team Brenda has supported with the Integration delivery of over 200 dental transactions and taken the Integration lead in over sixty of these practices into the business.

Brenda has spent her whole career in dentistry and has a vast amount of knowledge, expertise and experience in all roles that support a new acquisition in the best possible way.

‘It’s very important build strong working relationships with all members of the dental team and to make the transition and Integration period is as smooth and as enjoyable as possible.’

Nicola joined {my}dentist in 2009, initially working in the Finance department as a Corporate Reporting Accountant, before transferring to the M&A team as Transaction Manager in 2012. In 2022, she transferred to the Legal department, still working closely with the M&A team on dental practice acquisitions and disposals. During her time working in and alongside the M&A department, Nicola has been involved in the acquisition of over 220 practices and the disposal of over 50 practices.

Before moving to {my}dentist, Nicola worked at Baker Tilly, gaining her ACA qualification in the external audit department.

‘Building strong relationships with our external partners is key to a smooth transaction’.

Kayleigh Berry joined {my}dentist in July 2018 as part of the M&A team. Part of her role is to maintain strong relationship with our external partners, mainly supporting the business and new businesses through the full due diligence process. Kayleigh also takes an active lead on driving our lead generation and providing advice and guidance for anyone that is thinking of selling their practice. In addition, Kayleigh supports in reviewing any practices that may be available and understand if they would be the right fit for the business by completing a fully scoped review.

Prior to joining {my}dentist Kayleigh worked in the IT industry for 10 years.

‘It is important to support our sellers through the whole process and provide guidance to help them make the right choice.’

Chelsey joined mydentist in 2021 initially working in the facilities team before moving on to the Purchase Ledger team working with labs. In 2024 she progressed on to the M&A team as an Integration Co-ordinator.

Chelsey’s previous roles were both customer focused, supporting the practices day-to-day. She would help ensure there was smooth running of the Practices by logging different maintenance matters and arranging for a contractor to go out and repair when was convenient for the practice. She would also liaise with the practice on a weekly basis about lab invoices and lab queries to support the practices and the clinicians with any problems that may occur.

Chelsey is now enjoying supporting the acquisition practices ensuring there is a smooth process from due diligence to completion and working with the practice teams through the whole integration process.

‘It is important to me to help our new members of the {my}dentist team to feel comfortable, confident and happy during the Integration process.