Liz Somerville is founder and managing director of Loch Leven Equine Practice and is President and Director of the Veterinary Management Group (VMG). Here she describes her learning within the veterinary sector and encourages us to keep believing and dreaming to move towards our career aspirations.
Please summarise your journey:
I entered the veterinary world with no previous experience of vet practice or running a business. I had worked as a professional event groom at the top end of the sport and I’d also worked in a couple of admin roles and as a nutritionist with an equine feed company.
With my equine vet husband Hugh, we founded Loch Leven Equine Practice in Kinross, Scotland. We started out as an ambulatory practice based out of our cottage in 2005. In 2013, we moved into a new purpose-built surgical facility and our team of seven vets and supporting team offer both an ambulatory service covering Kinross-shire, Perthshire, Fife, Clackmannanshire, Stirlingshire and West Lothian and full diagnostic, dental and surgical services.
Since the practice opened, I’ve performed every non-clinical role you can think of, as well as supporting our nursing team on the ground too. Today, I’m Managing Director, responsible for business and financial strategy, performance management, operations, and talent management and leadership. I’m passionate about practice leadership and have a particular interest in the wellbeing of the whole practice team and in creating a culture where all of our team can thrive.
In 2018 I completed my PgCert in Veterinary Business Management with the University of Liverpool and I joined the board of the Veterinary Management Group (VMG) in 2019, becoming President at our Congress in April this year.
Describe a typical day
5.30: my alarm goes off and the first thing that goes on is the kettle! I usually have an hour and a half of peace and quiet before the kids and my husband start appearing. I write in my journal, plan my day, and either get some work done whilst I’m feeling at my most productive, get supper prepared and cooked if the end of the day is going to be a busy one or go for a run.
7.00: I have a shower, breakfast, usually put a load of washing on and chase my two sons out the door to catch the school bus
8.00: Every day is different so it’s difficult to describe what a typical day looks like! I try and check in with the team first thing and get some of my bigger jobs done in the morning. I might have some meetings scheduled with team members, a Zoom call for the VMG, work to do on the financials or need to edit and publish a podcast. I try and get out with the dogs most lunchtimes to get some fresh air. We provide lunch for our team at the practice so I will usually get some soup, a toastie or, on Fridays, we have bacon rolls. The afternoons are when I can be less focused and effective, so I try and do some of my admin jobs after lunch. The battle with my inbox is never ending!
4.00 – I drive to my horse, Splash, to go and ride. He lives at a friend’s training yard half an hour away so it’s an hour’s round trip most days.
My evenings are spent catching up on housework, cooking or playing taxi driver for my two boys. I also do a night on call for the nurses and, with Hugh being on call for the vet’s rota, and the two boys often going in two different directions, evenings can be a challenge.
I try to get out for a run a couple of times during the week so the planning on a Sunday night is really important to make sure everyone can get to where they need to be during the week.
How would you describe yourself in a sentence?
I’m kind, hard-working and driven and I find it very difficult to stop and do nothing.
How would others describe you?
I had no idea how to answer this so I asked my best friend and business partner to do it for me… this is what she wrote:
“A kind and caring special friend who is supportive, quietly determined, ambitious and very driven.”
What has been your top success and what did you learn from it?
Becoming President of the VMG. It showed me what can be achieved if you put your mind to it. When I first joined the veterinary world, it felt daunting, and I learned quickly that I needed a support structure and to be able to learn from others. However, I found colleagues from across the sector hugely supportive and the confidence they instilled in me gave me the belief to keep going even when things got tough. I joined the VMG to keep learning from others and now, here I am as its President! When you keep believing and keep dreaming, anything is possible!
What has been your biggest challenge and how did you grow or change as a result?
Our practice today is not what we expected when we set it up. Navigating the curve balls that have been thrown at us has been challenging but I’m very happy with where we are. Sometimes things don’t turn out the way you expect but this can actually be a really positive thing.
What compromises have you had to make?
I’ve had to accept that I’m not superwoman and can’t do absolutely everything that I want to. Sometimes, I’ve had to say no to things that I would really love to do and sometimes compromise is necessary. My PgCert in Veterinary Business Management took me much longer to complete than I’d initially planned and I’ve also had to pause my Diploma from the Coaching Academy as life is just too busy at the moment. I will return to it once my presidential term has been completed and I hopefully have a bit more time again!
What advice would you have given to your younger self that you could now give to others wanting to follow your path?
We all go through tough times – but they don’t last forever, and you can come out the other side stronger, wiser and happier.
I couldn’t have got here today without ….
The support and encouragement of my husband, Hugh.
What are your three top likes?
Horses
Gin
Chocolate
And dislikes?
Snakes
Negativity and moaning
Rice pudding
What is the most helpful book you’ve read and why?
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown
All her books are brilliant but I found this one particularly inspiring because of its focus on vulnerability as a super power.
About the VMG
The VMG is the professional association for all those in leadership and management roles in the veterinary sector. It empowers and equips veterinary leaders and their organisations to learn, share, and grow.
Many thanks to Liz Somerville for sharing her story to inspire veterinary women to aspire and grow into their full career potential.
If you would like to share your story please get in touch at info@veterinarywoman.co.uk
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