The MacVet Podcast

The business of vetting

The MacVet Podcast

Show Notes

Accompanying his father on visits as a child, Den saw first-hand the special relationship that farm vets can have with their farming clients. Recognising that, unlike his three veterinary brothers, he would feel better suited to farm vet practice, Den began his career at his father’s practice.

After several years he decided that perhaps farm vetting could be done differently, so together with good friend and colleague Charlie Lambert, they set up a practice in Cheshire. This soon grew into Lambert, Leonard and May, a practice that would go on to disrupt the status quo of farm vetting.

But it was the business side of practice life that really became Den’s passion. Being introduced to the concept of setting a vision and values, then integrating them into everything the practice does, unlocked a realisation of the power of what some may call soft skills: communication, understanding what motivates people, and how to build a strong team of workers and clients.

Although no longer in veterinary practice, Den recently took up a role that brings him back to working with the farmers he has always felt comfortable talking with and helping.

In this episode, we discuss:

The challenges and rewards of developing a novel veterinary business model,

Reflecting on the influence our communication can have on others, how we can become more aware of this and communicate in a more constructive manner,

Stepping into the public arena to support his farmers in their challenge to control TB and the consequences associated with this.

Listen in to discover Den’s thoughts on communication, cows and coffee!

More from The MacVet Podcast

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In this episode of The MacVet Podcast, Fiona speaks with veterinary communication expert Roeland Wessels about what makes veterinary care truly meaningful: not just clinical skill, but connection, trust and the ability to communicate well with the people behind the animals. Some key take home messages: Communication is a core clinical skill: why listening, asking better questions and understanding human behaviour are essential parts of successful veterinary practice.

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In this episode of The MacVet Podcast, Fiona welcomes back Sarah Tomlinson, Lead Veterinary Science Expert with AHDB, for a wide-ranging conversation about bovine TB, farmer support, veterinary communication and the importance of sharing science and evidence in ways that are practical, accessible and compassionate. Sarah reflects on changes at home and at work since appeaaring in Season 1; in her role with AHDB, she currently works across ruminant health, welfare and disease, while continuing to play an influential role in conversations around bovine TB. Takehome messages: Clear, evidence-based communication is essential Sarah explains the importance of tailoring messages for different audiences — from farmers and vets to government and industry bodies — while keeping the science simple, accurate and useful.

Sep 17, 2026

In this episode, Fiona chats with Donal Murphy, Deputy CEO and Head of International and Regulatory Affairs at the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH). NOAH is the trade organisation representing the UK animal health industry, and in this conversation, Donal shares a detailed look at how veterinary medicines are developed, regulated, monitored, and supplied. Donal, who spent his early career working in veterinary practice, provides details on the scale and structure of the UK and European animal health sectors, the responsibilities of regulators and manufacturers, the importance of pharmacovigilance, environmental considerations around parasiticides, and the challenges involved in maintaining reliable medicine and vaccine supply chains. Key take outs: Veterinary medicines are highly regulated: products must meet strict standards for safety, quality, and efficacy before they are authorised, with extensive data submitted to regulators such as the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).

Sep 3, 2026

We've all heard of the common saying 'practise makes perfect'. In this episode, clinical vet James Farrell explains how he likes to relate perseverance in developing skills in small animal practice to the experience of replacing a prolapsed uterus in a recently calved cow! Now a managing clinical director at Woodcroft Vets, a companion animal practice in Greater Manchester, James shares his journey since graduation with fellow Royal Veterinary College graduate, Fiona. Having gained a solid foundation working in mixed practice, he chose to specialise in small animal surgery and recently competed Masters level training in Counselling and Psychotherapy, regularly supporting bereaved family members at a local hospice. He reflects on how early experiences in mixed practice and PDSA work shaped his confidence, surgical ability, resilience, and practical approach to problem-solving. He also explains how counselling training deepened his self-awareness and strengthened skills such as empathy, reflective listening, and giving people time to process difficult experiences. James also discusses the emotional demands of veterinary work, particularly around complaints, end-of-life care and supporting teams under pressure. Highlights shared in this conversation: Communication is a core clinical skill — listening, curiosity, empathy and reflection can transform interactions with clients, colleagues and teams. Supportive leadership matters — making time for hands-on mentoring, peer discussion and psychological safety helps people learn and cope with pressure. Self-compassion is essential — veterinary work is emotionally demanding, so it's important to develop a strong support network, which of course can include our pets.

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