Jenny Campbell encourages women to reach potential in keynote speech
“As women, we often don’t have enough confidence in ourselves"
Jenny Campbell, businesswoman and star of BBC’s Dragons' Den, delivered a keynote speech on day two of the virtual BSAVA Congress 2021. Interviewed by RCVS president Mandisa Greene, topics covered included her route to owning her own business, juggling motherhood with work, and the discrimination she faced as a woman in her early career.
Jenny described how in an early banking role, she received an unprompted letter on her desk stating that her employer had assessed her career prospects as a grade ‘B’, and that her male colleague in the same role had been graded ‘A’.
Jenny explained: “I pursued it [the disparity] the right way through my manager and H.R. and, after about 18 months, I received a muted response saying that they assumed I would go off and have a family, and I thought, ‘And?' – this is about my future progression and capabilities”.
Jenny continued: “The reason it made a very practical difference is that if they gave you a grade ‘A’, the bank guaranteed you your job back at the same grade after having a child, whereas a grade ‘B’ meant that they would make ‘best endeavours’ which is not the same. They were judging me on having a family and thinking I would be less committed in my career. I fought it for 18 months, but eventually I was given my ‘A’.”
Continuing on the topic of working parents, Jenny explained that she felt she was a “better mum overall” for going to work and that reviewing and prioritising to-do lists was critical for work-life balance. “Ask yourself: what do I really need to do today?” said Jenny.
When asked what message she had for women in veterinary profession, Jenny stated: “As women, we often don’t have enough confidence in ourselves as to what is possible. I always say, there’s no such thing as glass ceilings – there’s only sticky floors. Move your own feet and go and get what you want.
“The veterinary industry is dominated by women. Those women need to become practice partners … and yes, you can juggle children and working. It’s just a case of scheduling, juggling priorities and spinning plates.”
Eligible members of BEVA will be able to vote for their Council team until Monday, 17 August 2026. Members will have received an election email on 17 July.
