Sustainability
Environmental Sustainability at Willows
At Willows we are extremely proud to have achieved a Green accreditation from Investors in the Environment (iiE) as part of our commitment to improving our environmental sustainability.
Led by our Green Giants environmental group and supported by all Willows Associates our team are dedicated to achieving the highest possible levels of environmental sustainability through the delivery of best-in-class patient care and treatment.
Willows recognises that all businesses impact the environment in many different ways. As such, Willows is committed to the continual improvement of our environmental performance to reduce our carbon footprint and ensure a positive impact on the environment. By 2040 we aim to achieve a net zero target.
Willows is committed to achieving long-term environmental benefits, across the whole organisation to reduce our carbon footprint and become leaders in the field of environmental sustainability. We are also focused on reducing incidences that result in liability, conserve raw materials and energy, monitor our impact and demonstrate results.
To view our Environmental Policy click here.
Sustainability at Willows
Over the last 18-months our Green Giants have spearheaded several environmental initiatives across the business including:
- Investment in a state-of-the-art oxygen generator system
- Switching energy supplier to a 100% renewal provider
- Converting all lighting to LED energy-saving lights
- Creating new waste streams and reducing single-use items
- Providing all clinical associates with washable surgical hats
- Reducing business travel by encouraging online CPD events and meetings.
The commitments made by our team have seen significant results:
- Eliminating 150 HGV deliveries of bottled oxygen per year
- An 8% reduction in energy usage
- A 7% decrease in fuel consumption
- 12% increase in recycling (14 tonnes of recycling per year!)
- Saving 4000 surgical hats from going to landfill.
A Sustainable Future
This is just the beginning for Willows, we are committed in our drive to make significant environmental savings, by looking towards technology such as solar panels, electric vehicles and electric car charging points, all of which will support in taking us to the next level and reduce our carbon footprint even more.
Ensuring we have an environmentally sustainable hospital is extremely important to our whole team, and we are extremely proud of our what our Green Giants have achieved so far.
Meet Our Green Giants
Will Robinson
BVetMed MSc BSAVA PGCertSAS DipECVS MRCVS
Head of Soft Tissue Surgery
European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
Will graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2010 and since then has worked in multiple small animal hospitals across the UK. He undertook a rotating internship at the Willows in 2012 before going to Bristol Veterinary School to complete his three year residency in small animal surgery and a clinical masters degree (MSc). During this time he also completed his BSAVA post graduate certificate in surgery. Will successfully passed the European diploma exam to become a European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery in 2020. Will’s research interests include minimally invasive surgical techniques and he is interested in all aspects of surgery and particularly enjoys fracture management and thoracic emergency surgery.
In his spare time Will enjoys exploring the countryside with his family and two crazy Cocker Spaniels, Olive and Rocket.
Read MoreIn his spare time Will enjoys exploring the countryside with his family and two crazy Cocker Spaniels, Olive and Rocket.
Nic Mills
BSc (Hons) RVN
Head of Operations
Nic studied Genetics and Molecular Biology at university and after graduating in 2010 decided to take some time out to decide if a career in genetics was right for him. He then went on to work as a Pet Health Advisor at a local small animal practice and immediately knew that working within the veterinary industry was the right place for him. Since then Nic has gone on to qualify as a Registered Veterinary Nurse and in 2017 made the move into industry where he worked as a territory manager for a global veterinary pharmaceutical company.
Nic understands the importance of building lasting relationships with practices and brings with him the dedication and experience necessary to develop and strengthen the relationships Willows has with both referring veterinary practices and pet owners.
Outside of work, Nic has a very noisy six-year-old Siamese called Eli who he hand-reared after he was abandoned at his old practice and the pair have been inseparable ever since.
Read MoreNic understands the importance of building lasting relationships with practices and brings with him the dedication and experience necessary to develop and strengthen the relationships Willows has with both referring veterinary practices and pet owners.
Outside of work, Nic has a very noisy six-year-old Siamese called Eli who he hand-reared after he was abandoned at his old practice and the pair have been inseparable ever since.
Vicky Maund
BSc (Hons) CVN, DipAVN (SA), Dip HE CVN, VTS (SAIM), CertVNECC, RVN.
Head of Nursing Services
Vicky has always had a passion for caring for animals from a young age, with her veterinary career starting at the age of thirteen in a practice working with both farm animals and domestic pets.
Vicky qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1996 from Rodbaston College. She continued her veterinary work at the PDSA before moving to a mixed practice as Head Nurse and Clinical Coach, allowing Vicky to help train and mentor students and nurses alike before taking some time out to raise her two fantastic children. Vicky missed the buzz of the veterinary practice and returned full circle to her original training practice. With her passion reignited, Vicky undertook the Diploma in Clinical Veterinary Nursing and an Advanced Diploma in Veterinary Nursing at Myerscough College.
Joining Willows in 2011, Vicky worked as a lead medicine nurse and quickly developed a strong interest in blood transfusions and endocrine disorders; this inspired Vicky to undertake a BSc (Hons) Clinical Veterinary Nursing achieving a first-class degree. However, Vicky’s thirst for knowledge did not stop there. In 2015, she undertook a specialised qualification from the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians (AIMVT) in Internal medicine. She gained her Veterinary Nursing Certificate in Emergency Critical Care in 2017 and, more recently, a post-graduate Certificate in Veterinary Education.
Vicky has lectured on the nursing circuit, including having the honour to speak at the BSAVA congress, and finds teaching and sharing her knowledge a privilege. At home, Vicky has two dogs Opie and Florence, who very much keep her on her toes.
Read MoreVicky qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1996 from Rodbaston College. She continued her veterinary work at the PDSA before moving to a mixed practice as Head Nurse and Clinical Coach, allowing Vicky to help train and mentor students and nurses alike before taking some time out to raise her two fantastic children. Vicky missed the buzz of the veterinary practice and returned full circle to her original training practice. With her passion reignited, Vicky undertook the Diploma in Clinical Veterinary Nursing and an Advanced Diploma in Veterinary Nursing at Myerscough College.
Joining Willows in 2011, Vicky worked as a lead medicine nurse and quickly developed a strong interest in blood transfusions and endocrine disorders; this inspired Vicky to undertake a BSc (Hons) Clinical Veterinary Nursing achieving a first-class degree. However, Vicky’s thirst for knowledge did not stop there. In 2015, she undertook a specialised qualification from the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians (AIMVT) in Internal medicine. She gained her Veterinary Nursing Certificate in Emergency Critical Care in 2017 and, more recently, a post-graduate Certificate in Veterinary Education.
Vicky has lectured on the nursing circuit, including having the honour to speak at the BSAVA congress, and finds teaching and sharing her knowledge a privilege. At home, Vicky has two dogs Opie and Florence, who very much keep her on her toes.
David Hindley
IWFM Level 4 ISOH ILM3
Facilities Manager
David has worked at Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service since 2002, initially joining us as an animal care assistant obtaining valuable experience working alongside general practice clinicians and specialist vets in a progressive small animal practice. Going from strength to strength, his level of commitment to the practice, his colleagues and, most importantly, the patients in his care, David was promoted to Animal Care Manager in 2007.
As the practice has grown and the facilities within have developed, David realised his skills and knowledge would be well suited to a facilities role and he became Facilities Manager in December 2016. David is IWFM and IOSH qualified and is working towards his Nebosh qualification.
David has a busy home life shared with his wife and young son, two dogs, two rabbits, two birds, a cat and finally a horse! When he does have a rare moment to spare, he will sneak in a game of football or rugby!
Read MoreAs the practice has grown and the facilities within have developed, David realised his skills and knowledge would be well suited to a facilities role and he became Facilities Manager in December 2016. David is IWFM and IOSH qualified and is working towards his Nebosh qualification.
David has a busy home life shared with his wife and young son, two dogs, two rabbits, two birds, a cat and finally a horse! When he does have a rare moment to spare, he will sneak in a game of football or rugby!
Samantha MacDonald
BA (Hons)
Marketing Manager
Sam joined Willows from the world of Private Healthcare having worked for a number of the UKs largest private Healthcare providers for over ten years in the London, the South East and most recently the Midlands.
It had always been Sam’s childhood dream to become a Vet, having grown up watching every episode of ‘Animal Hospital’, she even spent a short stint experiencing life within a veterinary practice as part of high school work experience. However, the creative aspect of marketing called leading Sam on to roles within Private Healthcare and most recently Veterinary Medicine across which there are increasing similarities.
Having previously been the proud owner of a rather hairy Bearded Collie named Chloe, Sam would love to get another dog in the near future. For the meantime she fulfils her longing for puppy cuddles by offering up her pup sitting skills to help her Dad who breeds working Labradors.
Read MoreIt had always been Sam’s childhood dream to become a Vet, having grown up watching every episode of ‘Animal Hospital’, she even spent a short stint experiencing life within a veterinary practice as part of high school work experience. However, the creative aspect of marketing called leading Sam on to roles within Private Healthcare and most recently Veterinary Medicine across which there are increasing similarities.
Having previously been the proud owner of a rather hairy Bearded Collie named Chloe, Sam would love to get another dog in the near future. For the meantime she fulfils her longing for puppy cuddles by offering up her pup sitting skills to help her Dad who breeds working Labradors.
Rebecca Jordan
Surgical Team Leader
Charlotte Robinson
Pharmacy Team Leader
Mike Talbot
Facilities Assistant
Pete Jackson
Maintenance Operative
