It’s hard to believe more than 365 days have lapsed since I became president on 25 January 2019; time really does fly when you’re having fun. It’s been an exhilarating, intense, energising and thought-provoking year.
Change has been a constant theme – for SPVS, the industry and externally – this won’t change. We have changed a lot since my first exposure as an eager, fresh-faced final year at the annual SPVS final year conference back in 2003 when SPVS was affectionately known as the “bosses club”. Today we’re quite different. I typify that change as a younger than 40-year-old female who’s never owned a practice having just completed my year as president.
Times are changing
Anyone who’s passionate about leadership in the veterinary industry can join us, and I can’t wait to see an RVN or other industry professional as president. We are a dynamic and relatively diverse board from all walks of veterinary life, united by a common purpose to progress responsible leadership to deliver profitable, happy, engaged practice teams who deliver the best patient care and treatment.
And as for change in the profession – whether we’re considering Brexit, the ongoing recruitment and retention challenges in the profession, the upcoming RCVS “under my care” review, the open discussions we’re finally having about discrimination in our profession or the impact of technology in the profession, times are changing not just for our workforce, but for our clients as well.
Volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous
To meet this head on and get ahead of the game, I’m very clear about one thing – we’re better working together than separately. And in 2019 we really did that, working closely with the BVA, RCVS, Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) and other major divisions to ensure we all work collaboratively to navigate the profession through this “VUCA” (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world and set it on a path for future success. We are committed to continuing to represent our members on all the key policy and consultation group.
A key focus this year was an ongoing collaboration with sister organisations – our partnership with the VDS with GradTrack for graduates and their bosses has gone from strength to strength and is now embedded as a leading offering.
Learning leadership
As part of our strategic plan, I’m excited to have overseen our The Intitute of Leadership and Management level 3 and 5 qualifications, which have been developed with leading leadership professionals.
The biggest highlight for me, though, is the people I’ve worked with and met. From our talented board, to presidents and teams of sister organisations, to our members, to my team at work who has supported me throughout. The list is too long to name everyone, but I’ve learned from everyone and have been inspired by you all.
I think we forget sometimes that our board positions are volunteer roles, and I would like to recognise everyone on board for their continued dedication to SPVS and their relentless work.
I can’t wait to see where 2020 takes us…
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