AN inspirational clinical director has been named VetPartners’ Vet of the Year for her exceptional work in promoting and empowering veterinary nurses.
Louise Mallinson, who works at Beechwood Vets in Leeds, won the accolade at our annual UK awards, which celebrate shining stars, unsung heroes and those who make a real difference to their workplace and their community.
As well as being a much-loved and popular colleague at Beechwood Vets, Louise is vice-chair of the VetPartners Small Animal Clinical Board, where she has played a key role in ensuring veterinary nurses have a voice.
She has been a leading light in Nurse Evolve, a VetPartners initiative which delivers a clinical CPD programme for all nurses in practice, from students to newly qualified RVNs to experienced and senior RVNs.
VetPartners CEO Jo Malone said: “Louise is a truly inspirational vet and we are very proud to have her leading one of our practices and on our Small Animal Clinical Board. She epitomises the kind of collaborative, caring and supportive colleagues that make up the VetPartners family.
“What she has done and continues to do for the nursing profession is admirable, as she is the backbone of the nursing Special Interest Groups, Nurse Evolve and all the work that goes into providing CPD and supportive environments for our nurses to work in.”
The VetPartners awards are the highlight of the group’s annual Congress, held this year at The Queens Hotel in Leeds, over two days. Nearly 400 practice managers, clinical directors, senior vets and head nurses from VetPartners’ UK and Ireland veterinary practices and animal health care companies attended the event.
Clyde Veterinary Group equine head nurse Emma Bone, pictured left, was named Veterinary Nurse of the Year.
Emma manages a team of six equine nurses at the practice in Lanarkshire in Scotland, all but one recruited directly by her, and she leads the team by example, while ensuring their needs come first. She is also a driving force in the practice’s sustainability efforts, leading several initiatives including setting up a clothes bank, organising a litter pick and introducing TerraCycle boxes for recycling. She also arranges out-of-work activities for her team and helped to organise a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Clyde Vets practice manager Tony Reilly said: “I have worked with a great many managers, but Emma is unique among them, her passion for her role, her patients, clients and her team is second to none, and she is well deserving of this award.”
Amy Smart, from Hampden Equine Vets in Aylesbury, was crowned Receptionist of the Year. Amy, pictured right, has taken on a new role as the senior administrator of the equine section.
As well as leading the reception team with a positive and can-do attitude, she has created new policies on debt collection, organised community events and introduced environmentally friendly initiatives to improve sustainability.
The Practice Manager of the Year award went to Janet Fox, from Oakhill Vets in the Lake District.
Described as the matriarch of the practice, Janet is incredibly dedicated to her role and supportive of her team. She also runs puppy and dog training classes, takes recuperating pets home if clients need more support and organises practice fundraising activities.
Willows Farm Vets capped an incredible year by being named Practice of the Year.
The practice has been turned around after four former partners and six vets announced they were leaving to set up a new business 13 miles away.
But the team members who remained, including former practice partners Ben Pedley and Mark Proctor, with the addition of new clinical director Matt Haslam, vets and TB testers, pulled together to transform Willows Farm Vets into a Best Companies 3 Star World Class workplace.
By focusing on creating a great place to work and delivering the best possible service, the practice is now thriving.
Pet Cremation Services Managing Director Jo Moore, pictured right, was presented with a Leadership award.
Since her appointment just over a year ago, Jo has created a team ethos across their 14 crematoriums and developed a new team to improve services, systems and support for colleagues. She has introduced more sustainable ways of working to reduce their carbon footprint and encourage sites to participate in the Investors in the Environment awards.
Dan Cole, from the central support marketing team, was named Support Team Star. Dan oversees and provides content packs for practice Facebook pages, as well as running the Instagram page. He was recently promoted to social media manager.
It has been an exciting time for Chris Richardson, who recently moved from his role as deputy practice manager at Galedin Vets to practice manager at Abbey Vets in Paisley and Greenock. He capped a memorable year by being named VetPartners Community Champion for leading sustainability and charitable activities at Galedin.
Chris is part of the VetPartners steering committee for our giving back activities, and oversaw Galedin’s Investors in the Environment accreditation, helping them to become a ‘paperless’ practice.
Jo Malone presented two special recognition awards to finance team members, Tom Brundle and Chris Haddleton for their outstanding contribution in 2023.
Kinfauns Vets were also handed an award by the VetPartners wellbeing team for their wellbeing work this year.
Jo added: “I am so proud of everyone across the VetPartners family. Whatever challenges we have faced as a profession, they have shown how dedicated, caring and resilient they are.
“The hardest part of the awards is choosing the winners because there were so many strong candidates in all categories. Our winners are truly deserving of their awards.”
For media enquiries, please contact Amanda Little, VetPartners PR and Communications Director. Email amanda.little@vetpartners.co.uk