Suzanne celebrates top business qualification

Suzanne celebrates top business qualification

A FORMER veterinary nurse, who began her working life cleaning out kennels, hand-rearing baby hedgehogs and caring for abandoned cats and dogs, has achieved a prestigious academic qualification.

Suzanne Johnstone has achieved her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) with merit from York St John University business school after two years of studying on a part-time basis.

Suzanne is a Business Development Director (BDD) with UK veterinary group, VetPartners, which has more than 130 veterinary practices. She supports the group’s small animal, equine, farm and mixed veterinary practices across the Midlands and Buckinghamshire, and helps to develop careers of people in the practices.

Her own career is also thriving after joining VetPartners in 2018 as the first BDD not to be a vet or former practice owner.

An MBA is an academically challenging qualification that provides an overview of key business practices and is highly valued by top employers.

Suzanne, who lives in Wythall, South Birmingham, said: “I decided to take the plunge and study for an MBA to advance my skills and also fill in some skills gaps. It’s been hard work because my job is demanding and I work long hours, but I’m delighted with what I’ve achieved.

“VetPartners supported me every step of the way with study time and providing data for a project on skills and recruitment in the veterinary industry.

“My confidence and knowledge have been boosted. It showed me that a lot of things I do as instinct are for a valid reason but it’s also given me a move strategic focus, more perspective and it’s also helped me to understand people better.”

Suzanne worked as a kennel assistant at the RSPCA Birmingham Animal Hospital while studying for ‘A’-Levels at college. She then accepted a role as a student veterinary nurse at the hospital, working her way up to head veterinary nurse in charge of a 15-strong team of nurses in 2002.

She carved a thriving management career, including a spell as a practice manager in Birmingham, before joining VetPartners in 2018.

Suzanne added: “VetPartners’ people-centred culture really appeals to me and what I love most is that you get to feel like a person who has an impact on the business.

“In Jo Malone, we are led by a CEO who loves people and is open minded about giving people an opportunity.

“I love developing people and providing them with opportunities to expand their careers, which is something VetPartners supports everyone to do really well.”#

For media enquiries, please contact Amanda Little, VetPartners Senior PR and Communications Manager, on 07970 198 492 or email amanda.little@vetpartners.co.uk