Anna Jones is no stranger to forging her own, unique path. Starting her veterinary career as an Animal Nursing Assistant, she qualified as an RVN and progressed through nursing and leadership roles, including becoming Managing Director of a group of independent practices. She is now the Hospital Director for Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists in Alton.
Anna is proud to showcase the progression opportunities for veterinary nurses and is also part of the LGBTQI+ community and excited about becoming a parent – her wife is currently pregnant with their first child, due in October.
In her profile, Anna shares her thoughts about how examples of perseverance, a measure of self-awareness and a supportive environment help to nourish a commitment to growth and increasing self-belief.
Please summarise your journey:
- Started in the veterinary industry at 16, leaving school after GCSEs to work as an Animal Nursing Assistant in a local clinic, while attending college one day a week in Guildford.
- This route was unconventional – most of my friends went to college full-time and on to university -which often made me question my decision early on.
- I qualified with a diploma in Veterinary Nursing and gradually progressed through various leadership roles including Deputy Head Nurse, Head Nurse, Nursing Manager and Practice Manager.
- I became Managing Director of a group of four independent clinics in Hampshire.
- After a short career break exploring the pharmaceutical industry, I returned to my passion and now serve as Hospital Director at Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists in Alton, Hampshire.
Describe your typical day from waking to sleeping:
- I’m usually up between 5–6am—I’m very much an early bird!
- I catch up on the news or listen to a podcast while getting ready for the day.
- Work is fast-paced and varied: people management, recruitment, H&S, marketing, event planning, CPD organisation, facilities support – no two days are the same.
- After work, I de-stress with a walk, gym session or bike ride – movement is key for my mental health and wellbeing.
- Evenings are for winding down with dinner and the occasional bit of feel-good TV! My guilty pleasure is a very early night utilising my electric blanket!
How would you describe yourself in a sentence?
Organised, driven, empathic, determined—and often my own harshest critic.
How would others describe you in a sentence?
Kind, thoughtful and a great sense of humour!
“Success rarely looks like a straight line. It’s a series of steps, missteps, and learning moments. And it’s okay to take a path less travelled.”
What has been your top success and what have you learned from this?
One of my proudest achievements is the path I’ve carved in my career – from starting as a nursing assistant at 16 to now Hospital Director a multidisciplinary hospital.
Also completing my Veterinary Business Management degree with Liverpool University was challenging but equally very rewarding and graduating ticked a lifetime ambition that I didn’t realise was in me! My career has been a journey built on perseverance, self-belief (even when that belief wavered), and a deep commitment to growth. What I’ve learned is that success rarely looks like a straight line. It’s a series of steps, missteps, and learning moments. And it’s okay to take a path less travelled.
What has been your biggest challenge, setback or failure and how have you overcome it? How did you grow or change as a result?
My mother’s spinal injury following an accident was a pivotal moment. Watching her go from being paralysed to walking short distances through sheer grit taught me more about strength than anything else. That period – and my own mental health struggles that followed – prompted me to step away from the industry for a short time.
Coming back, I realised how crucial a supportive environment is. I have found a workplace that believes in people and their potential – and that has made all the difference. I also learned the importance of acknowledging that healing, growth, and self-belief take time.
One thing that stuck with me was when someone said, “Anna, you don’t need rescuing” It reminded me that I can choose how I see myself, even on difficult days. It’s still a journey – but now I know I’m walking it with intention.
“We’re all navigating challenges, and the more we talk, the less alone we feel.”
What compromises have you had to make and what, if anything, could have helped?
I’ve had to accept that I can’t do or be everything perfectly all the time – and that’s okay. It’s human. I’m making peace with the fact that I’ll make mistakes, and that vulnerability doesn’t equal weakness.
What’s helped the most has been open conversations with others – inside and outside the profession. Realising that the thoughts I’ve had, and still have – imposter syndrome, self-doubt, fear of failure – are not unique to me, and this has been incredibly freeing. We’re all navigating challenges, and the more we talk, the less alone we feel.
What advice would you have given to your younger self, that you would now give to others wanting to follow your path?
Believe in yourself, even when it feels hard. Speak up with honesty and kindness. You don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room to make an impact – just stay true to your values, and don’t shrink yourself to fit anyone else’s idea of who you should be.
I couldn’t have got where I am today without…
My wife, Sarah. I heard on a podcast that everyone needs a home – a constant. Sarah is mine. Her support, honesty and strength have anchored me through it all. She is currently pregnant with our first child, which is due in October. I’m extremely proud of her with everything she navigates on a daily basis too – she’s also a senior manger in the fitness industry, navigating the world of a late autism diagnosis.
What are your three top likes?
Lifting heavy weights in the gym!
Music gigs and dancing
West End theatre trips
What are your three top dislikes?
Complaining without solutions
Bullying in any form
Being late
What is the most helpful book you’ve read and why?
Mel Robbins’ “The Let Them Theory.” Her insight that we can’t control others – their actions, words, or opinions – is both liberating and grounding. I’ve also started using her 5-4-3-2-1 rule to stop overthinking and just do the thing. Our brains our wired to always lean towards the easier, safer option, even when its better for us to go to the hard, challenging option long term. It’s simple but powerful.
Many thanks to Anna Jones 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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