March 26, 2025

Ep 109: Why Every Growing Vet Clinic Needs a Practice Manager – with Rita Dingwall

13 minutes

In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, I’m joined by Rita Dingwall—practice manager, leadership advocate, and Chair of the Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices. With more than 30 years in the veterinary profession, Rita has seen it all—and she’s here to share her wisdom.

Together, we tackle a topic close to both our hearts: why every veterinary practice needs a capable practice manager, and what happens when you actually let them do the job you hired them to do. From team performance to supplier negotiations and culture-building, Rita reveals the value of empowered practice managers and the high cost of micromanagement.

Whether you’re thinking of hiring your first manager or just need a reminder of what they’re capable of, this one’s for you.

Episode Outline:

[00:00] – "Let Them Manage" – The Case for Trusting Your Practice Manager

[01:30] – Meet Rita Dingwall: 30+ Years in Vetland and Still Learning

[02:30] – Leadership Lessons for New Managers (and Surrogate Sons)

[03:00] – Rita’s First Role: “Just Come and Organize Us”

[04:20] – When’s the Right Time to Hire a Practice Manager?

[05:30] – The Financial ROI of a Great Practice Manager

[06:30] – The Low-Hanging Fruit: Where Practice Managers Add Immediate Value

[07:30] – Team Clarity, Retention & Culture: Why This Role Is More Than Admin

[08:15] – Operations, Marketing, HR… and That’s Just the Start

[09:10] – CPD, Mentoring & Mental Health – The Real Backbone of the Team

[10:00] – What’s the Magic Number? When You Can’t Afford Not to Hire

[10:30] – Practice Managers ≠ Administrators: Trust, Don’t Micromanage

[11:15] – Fix the Axle: Why Alignment Between Owners & Managers Is Everything

Connect with Rita Dingwall: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-dingwall-707979a/

Learn more about the Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices: https://fivp.org.uk/

Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:

Follow Dave: @drdavenicol

Learn more about Veterinary Leadership Training: Veterinary Leadership Academy

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By By Dr Dave Nicol

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