January is the perfect time to take stock of your career, whether you’re interested in fresh opportunities, seeking a return to work or looking to advance your current role.
Ben Pugh is thriving in his role as clinical director at Ashfield House Vets, where he is helping to grow the practice’s reputation as a great place to work.
Here, Ben discusses what it’s like being part of the VetPartners family of practices….
WHEN Ben Pugh looks around him at the veterinary practice, where he’s worked since graduation, he can’t help but feel an immense sense of pride.
Ben takes huge satisfaction from the way Ashfield House Vets has developed into a thriving practice, boasting impressive facilities and the latest technology.
He is also proud of the team at Ashfield House, where he and fellow clinical director Katherine Benstead have created a people-focused practice enabling colleagues to thrive in their career and enjoy a happy work-life balance.
Promoted to clinical director after the practice joined VetPartners in 2019, Ben has led a transformation of Ashfield House, which has sites in Nottingham and Derby, helping to grow its reputation for excellence and as a great place to work in the veterinary profession.
“Being part of VetPartners is a symbiotic relationship with both parties working together to help the practice evolve,” says Ben.
“We have been given the autonomy to run our practice but we have the massive advantage of being part of a larger group that supports and encourages us to be the best we can be.
“VetPartners has invested heavily in equipment and facilities as we have a digital x-ray, a dental x-ray and new ultrasound machine. We were able to upgrade our endoscope and rhinoscope, ophthalmology equipment and a laparoscopic set-up.
“This has enabled us to provide the best possible care of patients and ensured that vets are able to have high-tech equipment to do their job.
“VetPartners is the group of choice for vets because it is led by vets who know and love the profession. Great care of patients comes from people so it is important they are supported and cared for.”
Ben’s own career has developed with the support of VetPartners as he is now helping to run the 16-vet practice alongside Katherine and practice manager Ashley Lovatt.
He graduated from Liverpool University in 2007 and worked for a charity in the Philippines, neutering and treating dogs rescued from the illegal dog meat trade, as well as the teaching about the care of dogs and educating them about rabies.
In 2007 he joined Byron House Vets, now part of Ashfield Vets and their biggest branch, where he is still based.
He completed a Certificate in Small Animal Ophthalmology (Distinction) in 2016 and sees second opinion cases from other practices in the area.
Ben takes tremendous personal satisfaction in how he has been able to develop into the clinician he always dreamed of being with the support and backing of VetPartners.
But, since becoming a clinical director, he has also ensured people are at the heart of the practice, sharing VetPartners’ ethos of creating great places to work, where the wellbeing of colleagues and ensuring they can enjoy a healthy work-life balance are key priorities.
“VetPartners are great investors in people, whether that is helping us to fairly renumerate our colleagues or enabling us to introduce flexible working opportunities.
“When the practice became part of VetPartners, they were so supportive of Katherine and I becoming clinical directors. They helped to integrate us into that role and ensured we had support behind us. Without VetPartners, it definitely would not have been such a smooth transition for us. VetPartners has helped to shape my career as a clinical director and they have massively shaped the evolution of the practice.
“Our core senior vet team has been here for more than 10 years and we have veterinary nurses and receptionists who have been with us for more than 25 years.
“That reflects the workplace we have been trying to create for everyone so we have a team that is fully engaged and loyal. We have implemented lot of ways of working to protect the mental health of colleagues which is so important. We ensure they are able to take more breaks, have longer consult appointments and are not overrun with operations.”
- VetPartners has lots of exciting roles available across our family of practices and animal healthcare businesses in the UK and Europe, with flexible working opportunities.
- By joining the VetPartners family, you’ll be supported every step of the way in your career journey with us.
- You can view our current opportunities here https://lnkd.in/e4hwVRtV or email careers@vetpartners.co.uk for an friendly chat.
For media enquiries, please contact Amanda Little, VetPartners PR and Communications Director. Email amanda.little@vetpartners.co.uk
