Partnering up

Why practitioners benefit from joining a network

Independent practitioners often find themselves juggling both medical expertise and business management. Many doctors enter the field with a passion for patient care but soon find themselves overwhelmed with the administrative burden of running a clinic. Cosmetic Physician Partners (CPP) was founded to bridge this gap, offering doctors a partnership model that enhances their clinical practice while providing robust business support. Aesthetic Medicine spoke to the founders before their shareholder meeting at Prof Ali Ghanem’s clinic to find out how joining a network could benefit practitioners.

THE GENESIS OF COSMETIC PHYSICIAN PARTNERS

CPP was created as an alternative to the traditional private equity model, ensuring that doctors — who are the primary value creators — retain control and equity in their businesses. Founded by experienced business leaders with a deep understanding of the medical aesthetics industry, CPP was designed to unite top-tier clinics, foster collaboration, and streamline operations. In just three years, the network has expanded to over 50 clinics across the United States, with plans to grow internationally.

A COLLABORATIVE ECOSYSTEM FOR EXCELLENCE

One of the greatest advantages for physicians of joining CPP is the ability to share knowledge and best practices with fellow top-tier professionals. Historically, when doctors attended industry conferences, they would exchange ideas, but true collaboration was limited. Within the CPP network, physicians are now playing on the same team, exchanging strategies, and leveraging datadriven insights to improve clinic performance.

The benefits of this collaboration include:

• Operational efficiency: Doctors can access a wealth of resources to improve hiring, marketing, staffing, and overall management.

• Data-driven insights: Clinics can benchmark their performance against others in the network to identify areas for growth.

• Access to business experts: Doctors receive support from seasoned professionals who specialise in running successful medical aesthetic clinics.

REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN

For many physicians, the most significant advantage of joining a network like CPP is the ability to focus on patient care rather than business administration. Most clinics are relatively small and struggle to afford dedicated personnel for essential administrative tasks such as accounting, hiring, and regulatory compliance. As a result, doctors often rely on external firms, which can be costly and lack industry-specific expertise.

By joining CPP, doctors gain access to a centralised support system that handles these tasks efficiently. This allows them to spend more time mentoring junior associates, expanding their practice, and enhancing patient care. As one physician noted, within just 30 days of joining CPP, they were already able to dedicate more time to clinical excellence rather than administrative concerns.

A SUPPORTIVE AND ETHICAL PARTNERSHIP MODEL

Beyond business support, CPP fosters a culture of collaboration and ethical practice. Unlike competitive environments where doctors operate in silos, CPP encourages inter-clinic referrals and case discussions. This ensures that patients receive the best possible care without conflicts of interest.

Furthermore, CPP is highly selective in choosing its partners. Clinics are invited to join through warm referrals, ensuring that only those with impeccable reputations become part of the network. This strict vetting process helps maintain the highest ethical and professional standards in the industry.

STRATEGIC GROWTH AND EXPANSION

Joining CPP also offers growth opportunities for clinics looking to scale. Whether a clinic wants to open new locations or refine its existing operations, CPP provides invaluable expertise in lease negotiations, architectural planning, and business expansion. The network’s existing partners play an active role in identifying and recommending new members, fostering an environment of trust and mutual growth.

NAVIGATING ECONOMIC CHALLENGES

The aesthetic medicine industry in the UK and Europe is currently facing economic challenges, with some of the largest providers struggling to stay afloat. However, CPP sees these challenges as opportunities to improve industry standards and transform struggling clinics into thriving businesses. By leveraging its experience in North America, CPP aims to bring stability, innovation, and best practices to the European market.

A DUAL APPROACH TO TRAINING

Education and training are paramount in the field, and CPP is committed to over-investing in these areas. According to its leadership, training can be categorised into two fundamental pillars: medical proficiency and business development. While most aesthetic practitioners demonstrate a high level of medical expertise, business training remains an area for growth. CPP aims to bridge this gap by equipping practitioners with essential business skills, such as conducting effective consultations, cross-referring treatments, and recognising opportunities that enhance patient care.

RAISING STANDARDS ACROSS THE BOARD

CPP does not seek to disrupt existing clinical methodologies but rather to refine and enhance them. By identifying best practices and successful treatment protocols from clinics within its network, CPP ensures that the highest standards are shared across the board. Its strategy includes implementing new protocols that improve patient outcomes, increase safety, and elevate operational efficiency.

One example of this commitment is the Mint Aesthetics model, which integrates a vast training library featuring over 100 educational videos covering everything from customer service to laser treatments. This model serves as a benchmark for CPP’s own training initiatives, allowing practitioners within the network to learn from top-tier industry leaders.

COLLABORATION OVER COMPETITION

A common concern in professional networks is how specialists within the same field can coexist without direct competition. Having a network addresses this challenge with flexibility, ensuring that practitioners complement rather than compete with one another. A prime example is the Ghanem Clinic, where CPP facilitated the introduction of new procedures previously unavailable in the UK. Through partnerships with the General Medical Council and the Royal College of Surgeons, international experts have been brought in to enhance education and patient outcomes. This collaborative approach ensures that specialists work together, cross-refer patients, and ultimately improve the standard of care.

THE BUSINESS OF AESTHETIC MEDICINE

Understanding the competitive landscape is crucial, particularly in regions densely populated with aesthetic clinics. For instance, in London’s Square Mile alone, there are over 100 medical aesthetic clinics. By selectively partnering with top-tier clinics and helping them refine their business operations, a network enables them to enhance efficiency and profitability without altering their brand identity. Like how Procter and Gamble supports individual brands under its umbrella, CPP provides structural support while allowing clinics to retain their unique ethos and customer experience.

A STRONG NETWORK OF INDUSTRY LEADERS

One of CPP’s greatest strengths is its network of influential educators and trainers. With internationally recognised experts like Prof Ghanem, Dr Benji Dillon, Dr Jennifer Doyle, Mr Richard Scawn and Dr Priyanka Chadha, CPP offers unparalleled access to industry leaders. This network fosters a culture of shared expertise, where practitioners can learn from each other and implement best practices that drive business growth and superior patient outcomes.

CPP does not actively market itself, as its reputation and referral network naturally attract high-calibre practitioners looking to elevate their practice. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, business acumen, and collaboration, CPP is not just shaping individual clinics but elevating the entire aesthetic medicine industry.

For more information on how to join CPP, email Etienne Billette at ebillette@cppclinics.eu.