By London Vet Show
So, you’ve signed up for the New Practice Academy at the London Vet Show, you’re probably thinking what happens next?
Here’s what it’s really like to be part of the New Practice Academy from the moment you arrive at the show to the final conversation over drinks. If you’re wondering what to expect or just feeling a little unsure of how to make the most of it all, we’ve got you covered.
Step One: The Welcome (to the) Pack
The first stop? Head straight to the NVS Group stand. It’s your HQ for the next two days. You’ll be greeted by the NVS Group team (friendly, helpful, and very much in the know), who’ll hand over your exclusive Welcome Pack.
Inside, you’ll find:
- NVS Group New Practice Academy Guide: Your essential tips and strategies for setting up and growing your practice.
- A personalised London Vet Show session guide, showing you, which talks are most relevant for you, a future practice owner.
- Resources, checklists, and advice to help you stay focused and get what you need out of the event
Straight away, it feels like you’re not just attending London Vet Show you’re here with purpose.
New Practice Academy was incredibly relevant and invaluable for journey to opening our business! It provided clear, comprehensive guidance that covered every aspect of starting a practice, ensuring we were well-prepared every step of the way.”
Hemali Patel, Happy Tails Vets
The Vibe: Focused, friendly, and full of first timers
What stands out is that you’re surrounded by people who are all on a similar path or have been in your shoes, thinking about opening a practice, actively planning, or on the verge of launching. It creates this buzz of excitement, curiosity, and “where are you at?” conversations that just don’t happen in typical CPD settings.
You’re not trying to absorb everything from every session you’ve got a curated list. You’re not just networking you’re building connections with people who could become future suppliers, collaborators, or even business mentors. And you’re doing it all with coffee in hand and time to think because the New Practice Academy is structured to be tailored, not overwhelm.
The Sessions: Real talk from real practice owners and experts
One of the most valuable parts? The New Practice Academy sessions. These aren’t vague notes or generic advice. They’re deep dives into the actual challenges you’ll face when opening your own practice.
An example to look forward to this year:
The Financial Truth About Starting a Vet Practice
20 November 2025, 3-3.50pm
Business Theatre
Opening a practice is just the beginning – building one that’s financially resilient for the long term takes strategy. This New Practice Academy session takes a finance-first look at what it really takes to launch a veterinary practice in today’s market. We’ll look at smart budgeting, sustainable pricing, and long-term financial planning.
Beyond start-up budgets and funding, we’ll dive into the operational foundations of any new practice: setting up your supply chain, negotiating supplier terms, and building procurement systems that support your cash flow. You’ll hear from recent practice owners and financial experts who understand the realities behind the forecasts, from construction costs and equipment deals to inventory strategy and pricing pressures.
Whether you’re refining your plan or preparing to open your doors, this session will equip you with the financial clarity and strategic insight to build with confidence!
I joined with just an idea of opening a practice, and the session was exactly what I needed. It was an incredibly insightful discussion, packed with practical advice for anyone at any stage of starting a business.”
Dr Imogen Wainwright-Jones, Crossways Veterinary Group
Conversations that count
Back out on the exhibition floor is where a major part of the New Practice Academy happens in the conversations you’ll have with exhibitors and experts who get what you’re trying to do.
Later in the day, you’ll want to make time for the Vet Show Happy Hour. It’s informal, it’s relaxed, and it’s packed with people who know what you’re going through with other professionals in the veterinary field, with both peers and experts, giving an intimate space and forum to give advice, share stories and build support networks to take further into your journey.
Being able to attend before we opened gave us a great opportunity to meet with all the reps in one place at one time. It saved us hours of going between them then and there to work out what was best for us.”
Pear Tree Vets
Final Tip? Dive In!
The best part is everything in the New Practice Academy offering is optional, which means you can really carve out your time at the London Vet Show, in a way that really feels like you’re making it count towards your personal goals.
These two days will give you more clarity, confidence, and connection than months of googling or emailing suppliers could ever do. So, arrive curious. Ask all the questions. Talk to everyone. Take notes. And leave with a plan or at least, the right people to help you build one. Remember, The London Vet Show and NVS Group are here to support you every step of the way. This is more than just another CPD event. It’s the start of something bigger.
For anyone considering opening their own clinic I’d strongly advise joining the New Practice Academy! It’s a great place to meet inspiring vets from all different stages of their careers and also provided us an opportunity to meet the different reps who we ended up buying equipment from”
Rory Liston, Co-founder, Forest Side Veterinary Clinic
Discover more or apply for this year’s New Practice Academy
The article was originally posted in The Cube magazine, October 2025 issue. Click here to read the magazine.
