VMG - Veterinary Management Group

02/11/2026

😴 From Z’s to A’s – the Impact of Sleep on Teams

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄, 3 November at 12 noon, as we welcome Dr Lauren Davies BVSc MRCVS from .

We'll be exploring why sleep health matters in veterinary workplaces, how poor sleep can affect decision-making, team dynamics and wellbeing, and what leaders can do to support healthier sleep habits across their teams.

💡 20 minutes of practical insight, with time for questions.
📅 Tomorrow, 3 November | 12 noon

Don't miss this opportunity to discover how better sleep can help build healthier, happier and more effective teams!

ℹRegister here: https://vetmg.com/vmg-microburst/

01/11/2026

🚀 Ready to press pause on the day-to-day and do something brilliant for your leadership journey?

Think fresh ideas, inspiring speakers, thought-provoking conversations, plenty of laughter and the chance to connect with people who really understand life in the veterinary world.

That's VMG Congress! 🎉

Whether you're a practice owner, manager, team leader or an accidental leader finding your feet, Congress is your opportunity to step away from the everyday, challenge your thinking, share experiences and return with fresh energy and ideas.

And the best bit? You'll be surrounded by people who get it. No matter where you are on your leadership journey, there's a place for you.

✨ Be inspired.
✨ Make connections.
✨ Share ideas.
✨ Learn something new.
✨ Have a little fun along the way!

Don't just hear about it afterwards – be part of it! Book your place and join us. We can't wait to see you there!

📍 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon
📅 21–23 April 2027
ℹExplore your Congress: https://vetmg.com/vmg-congress-2027/

01/11/2026

Because every veterinary team deserves a little title recognition - in a fun way!

🌟Chaos Coordinator
🌟Spreadsheet Sorcerer
🌟Department of Sunshine
🌟Crazy Cat Professional
🌟Nursing Yoda
🌟Vet Wrangler

Give your team the job titles they really deserve with VMG's Unofficial Job Title Badges – Christmas Selection!

A little bit of fun, a lot of personality and the perfect way to celebrate the brilliant people behind your practice.

🎁 Order yours today and give your team something to smile about!

➡➡ Get the badges here: https://vetmg.com/product/unofficial-job-title-badges-xmas-selection/

30/10/2026

😴 From Z's to A's: Are you giving sleep the attention it deserves in your workplace?

Sleep is often overlooked when we talk about workplace wellbeing, yet its impact goes far beyond feeling tired.

Poor sleep can affect decision-making, emotional regulation, memory, creativity and team dynamics – all of which influence how people perform and work together.

For our next VMG Microburst, we're joined by Dr Lauren Davies BVSc MRCVS from VetRelieve, to explore why sleep health matters and what leaders can do to support better sleep within their teams.

We'll be looking at:
🔹 What good sleep looks like and the impact of poor sleep.
🔹 How to recognise signs of sleep deprivation in your team.
🔹 Practical ways to promote healthy sleep behaviours.
🔹 How to make sleep part of a sustainable workplace wellbeing approach.

⏱️ Just 20 minutes, with an opportunity to ask questions at the end.

Make time to discover how better sleep can help build healthier, happier and more effective teams.

📅 Tuesday 3rd November 2026
🕛 12 noon
📍 Online
💷 Free
🔗 Sign up here: https://vetmg.com/vmg-microburst/

28/10/2026

💚 Coming to VMG Congress on your own? You won’t be the only one!

Taking that first step into a room full of people you don’t know can feel a little daunting, especially when it seems like everyone else has arrived with colleagues or friends.

But here’s the thing – lots of people come to Congress on their own, and you’ll be made very welcome. 💚

VMG Congress is about more than learning and professional development. It’s about connecting with others who understand the challenges of veterinary leadership and management, sharing experiences, making new friends and realising you’re part of a community.

You don’t need to know anyone before you arrive. You might leave with new connections, fresh ideas and a few familiar faces to look out for next time.

So, if you’re thinking about booking but feeling a little nervous about coming alone, we’d love to welcome you!

Come as you are. Leave feeling connected. 💚

📍 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon
📅 21–23 April 2027
ℹExplore your Congress: https://vetmg.com/vmg-congress-2027/

27/10/2026

Every veterinary practice has a Chaos Coordinator, a Spreadsheet Sorcerer and someone who somehow keeps everything running while juggling approximately 47 things at once. Sound familiar? 👀

Our much-loved Unofficial Job Title Badges have been spotted out and about, and now you can bring a little extra fun to your own team with special badge packs – just in time for Christmas!

Whether you’re looking for a stocking filler, a Secret Santa gift or simply a fun way to celebrate the brilliant (and sometimes wonderfully bonkers!) people who make your practice tick, we’ve got you covered.

Choose your collection:

✨ The Core Collection – 25 badges celebrating the everyday heroes of practice life, from Chaos Coordinator and Department of Sunshine to Spreadsheet Sorcerer.

🦸 The Entire Collection – All 25 Core Collection badges, PLUS 15 additional designs from our Superpowers Pack. Think Diary Wizard, Muck Magnet and even more unofficial titles your team will recognise!

Because every team has its own superheroes – they just don’t always wear capes.

📦 Both collections are available to pre-order now.

They’re a brilliant way to bring your team together, celebrate the unique superpowers everyone brings to the practice, and create a few shared laughs along the way – because the best teams know how to work hard and have fun together!

After all, who wouldn’t want to find out their officially unofficial job title? 😉

➡➡ Get the badges here: https://vetmg.com/product/unofficial-job-title-badges-xmas-selection/

25/10/2026

💚In Mental Health Awareness Month, VMG Director, Sam Anderson shares her mental wellbeing top tips.

• Remove any work-related notifications from your phone, as they can be a source of anxiety - if it’s really urgent, someone will get hold of you
• Take a break away from the practice or screen at lunchtime. Going for a walk can be an amazing way of reducing the size of a problem, especially if you're feeling overwhelmed. Nature is medicine
• Don’t eat food at your desk - it’s so important to take a break; regular breaks help us to flex and adapt
• Regular sleep - I have always found sleep an issue, but a magnesium supplement has really helped, as has keeping to a regular routine.
• Get a mentor or buddy in a similar role at another practice to share thoughts. Being a leader can be a lonely existence, and it can be helpful to talk with someone in a similar position.
• Don’t be afraid to talk through worries or concerns before leaving work, and remember it’s absolutely ok to ask for help. I have found journaling helped me at difficult times.
• One day at a time is a personal motto and whatever is happening at this moment, remember it will pass
• Be kind to yourself - hugs help, and that includes animals or your own pet
• Breathing - it sounds silly, but deep breaths will help reset your nervous system
• Remember it’s okay not to be okay; sometimes we all have days like this
• Set boundaries - saying no is ok
• Finally, surround yourself with uplifting people and where possible, avoid the mood hoovers in your life

ℹLooking for more practical support? Join the VMG: https://vetmg.com/

24/10/2026

☕🐾 Saturday thoughts for the veterinary management community…

Behind every great veterinary practice is a team of people working hard to support their colleagues, their clients and, of course, the animals in their care. 💚

But great leadership isn’t just about keeping everything running smoothly. It’s also about knowing when to pause, take a breath and look after yourself.

This Saturday, we’re reminding our veterinary leaders and practice managers that you can’t pour from an empty cup. Whether you’re working this weekend or enjoying some well-earned downtime, make a little space for yourself, too.

Happy Saturday from VMG! 💜

ℹLooking for a community of people who understand? Join the VMG: https://vetmg.com/

23/10/2026

🚀 THE VMG CONGRESS 2027 PROGRAMME IS HERE! 🎉

Get excited! 🤩 We’re thrilled to reveal an amazing programme for VMG Congress 2027 – Real Leaders. Shared Solutions.

Designed around the real challenges facing veterinary leaders and practice managers, Congress 2027 is packed with fresh thinking, practical insights and opportunities to learn, connect and grow.

✨ Think Like an F1 Driver – bringing elite performance principles into leadership
✨ Building stronger, happier teams and creating cultures where people thrive
✨ Financial confidence, decision-making under pressure and sustainable performance
✨ The return of ShareSPACE Live – sharing experiences, ideas and solutions with peers
✨ Fantastic networking, social events and time to recharge with the veterinary community.

📍 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon
📅 21–23 April 2027

Whether you’re an experienced leader or taking your first steps into management, this is your opportunity to invest in yourself, your team and the future of veterinary leadership.

🎟️ EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!

ℹExplore the full programme and start planning your Congress: https://vetmg.com/vmg-congress-programme/

23/10/2026

On Wednesday, 4th November at 7:30pm, Vetlife launches new guidance for veterinary leaders and managers: Su***de prevention in veterinary workplaces: a guide for managers.

⬇See the link below for more information on how to register.

Meet the panel 💚

On Wednesday 4th November at 7:30pm, Vetlife launches new guidance for veterinary leaders and managers: Su***de prevention in veterinary workplaces: a guide for managers.

After the initial presentation highlighting key features and how to use the guide, a panel will be taking questions from the audience.

Dr Rosie Allister manages Vetlife Helpline and is a researcher in veterinary mental health and su***de prevention. She has been researching, writing and speaking on mental health in the veterinary professions for over ten years, and has received the BVA Chiron Award and the RCVS Impact Award for her work.

James Russell FRCVS is President of Vetlife. He joined the charity as a volunteer in 2016, went on to chair Vetlife Helpline, and became President in 2023. He is an assistant clinical professor in farm animal medicine at the University of Nottingham and a past President of BVA.

James Glass is a doctoral researcher in the Suicidal Behaviour Research Lab at the University of Glasgow, where his PhD investigates suicidal thinking and behaviour within the veterinary professions. He spent almost 30 years in veterinary work before moving into research and is a Vetlife Helpline volunteer.

Hannah Sampson is a Vetlife trustee and has chaired the group behind the development of this guidance. Hannah is a vet with over 20 years experience in mixed practice; she has volunteered for Vetlife helpline since 2014.

Questions can be submitted anonymously during the session.
Free, 90 minutes from 7.30pm, counts as CPD.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OchGdbmUQBOkJX3b00DzOg

Vetlife Helpline is available to the veterinary community in the UK and Ireland, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on 0303 040 2551 (UK) and 1800 145 145 (Ireland).