2023 will see a new entrant to the UK’s veterinary congress scene – Veterinary Management Group (VMG) Congress, taking place on 8-9 June 2023 at the Crowne Plaza in Stratford upon Avon. The Congress aims to support the professional and personal development of those in the veterinary profession and welcomes all those working in or with a future in leadership and management. Championing female leaders, VMG are proud to have a number of inspirational women as part of the team, guiding their vision to help others to learn, share and grow. Hear from three of the VMG’s female leaders below on their journey to leadership and why VMG Congress is the perfect place to start.
Ruth Mackay, Chair for the VMG Board
“I started my working career as a mixed practice vet in the North of Scotland. Even in the early days I loved the practice management side and started learning and helping with the book keeping.
I then moved to Lancashire as a locum and quickly found that the practice suited me very well and so I started developing the small animal side of the business and became a partner after two years. When my business partner retired eight years later, my passion for leadership and management really started to grow.
I think it would be fair to say that, initially, the culture in the practice was far from ideal and it has been a work of almost thirty years for me to develop and grow as a person, as a vet and as a leader. I avidly listen to podcasts from all sorts of different thought leaders but I especially love the work of Brene Brown and Glennon Doyle.
“My hope is that the profession will focus more on the importance of personal development and ‘human’ skills going forward…”
My two values are connection and growth and I have tried to foster these in my own practice. In 2014 I wanted to give back to a profession that has been good to me and so I applied to join the Board of the VMG. I have taken a few different roles on the Board over the years and have been inspired by many people within the industry. I have also been able to help frame the VMG’s strategy, in alignment with our values of learn, share and grow.
When the new role of Board Chair was created, I felt that it suited me to a tee and, since then, I have tried to bring these human skills to bear, both at Board meetings and in managing the VMG team.
I am very excited about the six streams at our brand new VMG Congress because they are all designed to help delegates grow in the vital area of people management. My hope is that the profession will focus more on the importance of personal development and ‘human’ skills going forward, thus helping to develop a more engaged, purposeful and content workforce. This, in turn, will improve our delivery of veterinary care, ultimately improving both people’s and animals’ lives.”
Liz Somerville, Practice Manager at Loch Leven Equine Practice and Junior Vice President of VMG
“18 years ago, I moved to Scotland with my husband to open and run an equine veterinary practice. I was 26 years old; I’d never worked in the veterinary industry and had no business experience. Based from a spare room in our cottage and working out of the boot of one vehicle, we opened the doors to Loch Leven Equine Practice. 18 years on we have a 7-vet practice with full surgical facilities and an incredible team of people to work with.
Over the years I have been receptionist, bookkeeper, nurse, cleaner, practice manager and all of the other bits in between. I was very lucky to have an incredible mentor who introduced me to the VMG or VPMA as it was then and after initially feeling very nervous about attending VMG’s Congress, it soon became a regular fixture in my diary. I used to call it my annual pilgrimage and always came home buzzing with new ideas. VMG’s strap line ‘Learn, Share, Grow’, says everything you need to know about VMG and what it stands for.
“I hope that I can inspire, encourage and support lots of the amazing women within our profession, who need to believe that anything is possible when we choose to learn, share and grow.”
I wanted to be able to give something back to the organisation that had played such an important part in my own career development, so I joined the board in 2019 and this year took on the role of JVP, which means that next year I will become VMG’s President. I still have moments of feeling like a complete imposter, but I hope that I can inspire, encourage and support lots of the amazing women within our profession, who like me, just need to believe that anything is possible when we choose to learn, share and grow.”
Mrs Claire Baber, RVN & Independent End Point Assessor
“I qualified as an RVN in 2005 having worked in general practice for four years. I was always intrigued at the prospect of referral nursing and, shortly after I qualified, I was lucky enough to join the team at Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service. Little did I know, this is where I would spend the next 17 years of my career!
I have a lot to be grateful for from that lengthy chapter, not only in terms of professional development but also from a personal perspective. It gave me the opportunity to learn and grow as a vet nurse, as well as building my confidence both at work and outside it. In 2009, I was promoted into a management role as Nurse Manager. To help me fulfil the role, I undertook further study, earning an Institute of Leadership and Management qualification and a Certificate in Anaesthesia and Critical Care.
“I strongly believe that, if you build a well-educated, empowered team, then your business will thrive.”
During my years as a manager, I was acutely aware of the saying ‘Let them spread their wings, and they will fly!’ I became an advocate of this philosophy in practice and strongly believe that, if you build a well-educated, empowered team, then your business will thrive.
I am committed to helping others grow and develop so was happy to be offered a new role as Lead in Education at Willows in 2021. Having held my A1 Assessor qualification for many years, I looked forward to developing this new role, welcoming newly qualified nurses and students into the industry, and watching them achieve their own goals. This role led me into teaching students at the Willows in-house academy. My own learning kept pace as I undertook a qualification in education and training.
In early 2023, I moved to VetSkill, an awarding organisation, where I now work as an examiner and assessor, whilst keeping my hand in clinical work as a locum nurse. I love being part of the journey, helping students reach their aspirations. I am currently working towards an IQA qualification and hope to have time soon to look at the great courses the VMG has to offer.
Joining the VMG Board has cemented a few basic principles for me. These are:
- never underestimate how far you have come
- you never stop learning
- it’s important to have a goal
The focus on continuing our learning journey is what makes our industry so great and it constantly enhances our profession. My advice is, take the opportunities offered with open arms. No matter who you are, where you work, or what role you are in, if you have passion and drive, you will succeed!”
Full details of VMG Congress, including ticket pricing, social events, conference programme and exhibition, are available at www.vmgevents.co.uk