It was supposed to be a stopgap – I'm still here 11 years later
From receptionist to operations manager at Drove Vets
Hi, I’m Kayleigh Walker, and I’m the operations manager at Drove Vets.
When I joined as a float receptionist 11 years ago, I thought I’d be here six months. I’m still here because I just love it – and because at every stage, Drove has supported me to grow into something more.
I’ve gone from reception to lead receptionist to operations manager, and along the way I’ve had two children in a practice that’s backed me completely as a working mum. If you’re wondering whether reception could be the start of a career rather than just a job, my answer is: it was for me.
Check out our vacancies here, or get in touch with the team here for an informal chat.
Or read on below to find out more about my journey!
The job advert I spotted at a cat appointment
I wasn’t looking for veterinary work when I joined Drove. I was just looking for anything to get me out of where I was at.
We’d used Drove with our cats for years, and I actually saw the job advert when I came in for an appointment.
Everything on the job description appealed to me – but I didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as I genuinely did.
It was supposed to be a stopgap. I thought I’d be here six months. Eleven years later, I’m still here, because Drove has such a family feel.
Coming to work never feels like a chore.
I started as a float receptionist, became a permanent receptionist at our Stratton branch, and from there kept growing. Drove and I have kind of grown together – it sounds really cliché, but it’s true.
How Drove turned a receptionist into an operations manager
From day one, the team here have been supportive of everything I’ve wanted to do or become.
Has my progression come from my own ambition or from the team pushing me? A bit of both, really.
Leadership wasn’t something I actively pursued initially – but when I got into it, I really enjoyed it. From receptionist I became lead receptionist, and from there moved into operations.
There have definitely been skills to learn along the way – leadership skills especially, because I had none of that experience before I came here. But Drove have always put me on courses and supported me with anything I’ve needed to do my job.
Now I look after everything operationally alongside Lyndsay, one of our directors who herself has had an amazing career journey.
I make sure things are being serviced, things are running smoothly, the IT company are doing what they should be, and everything falls into place. No two days look the same.
One minute I could be doing emails, the next I’m downstairs covering reception if they’re short. I’ll fit in wherever I’m needed.
A practice that gets what it means to be a working mum
I’m about to go on maternity leave with my second child, and I already know I’ll be coming back. I genuinely love this role and what I do.
It’s really difficult to come back full time when you’ve got two little ones – but I know Drove will make it work, because they already have once.
I’m so grateful that Lyndsay is my manager, because she gets it. She knows how hard it is to be a working mum.
If I need to change my hours, or drop everything to go and collect a sick child, I can – because I know she’ll support me.
To be able to come back after maternity leave and still do what I love, that’s so important to me.
You aren't just a receptionist
One thing I care deeply about is making sure the people coming up behind me in reception understand that it isn’t just where they have to stay.
It’s about enabling them and making them realise: you aren’t just a receptionist – you are so much more.
Without our reception team, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. Everything comes through that door.
They’re the first people clients see, the first people they speak to. I can’t shout highly enough that they are the first impression of the practice.
What I'd say to anyone thinking about joining
