PGDip BSc (Hons) RN RVN

Helen graduated with a degree in Pharmacology in 2002, qualifying as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) in the UK in 2005. She has worked nationally and internationally, gathering experience in referral medicine and surgery, charity practice, emergency nursing and exotics.

In 2013 she qualified as a human centred nurse, initially working in cardiothoracic intensive care. Currently she works as a Specialist Transplant Nurse. Day to day she supports living kidney donors through the process of donation. She also holds an on call role, managing the logistics of matching, retrieving and transplanting abdominal organs from deceased donors. 

Helen remains a RVN and has developed a strong interest in the principles of One Health and is the current chair of the UK One Health Coordination Group. She is particularly interested in elements of nursing that might be shared between the

veterinary and medical sectors. 

Her first textbook, Veterinary Nursing Care Plans: Theory and Practice was published in 2018. She completed a MSc in Healthcare Management in 2021 and is thinking hard about her next big project!

Dave graduated from the University of East London in 1995 with a BSc (Hons) in Infectious Diseases and began work at Moredun Research Institute later that year. Whilst working at the Institute he was awarded his PhD from Edinburgh University (2008). 

He is now a principal investigator with 30 years’ experience in veterinary parasitology and has worked on many facets of sustainable roundworm control and improving diagnostics associated with species identification and anthelmintic resistance. His research interests also include the development, transport and mechanisms associated with anthelmintic resistance. 

He actively participates in the promotion of best practice roundworm control in ruminants and sits on the Sustainable Control of Parasites of Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Worms sustainably; COWS) committees.  He has published a wide range of scientific papers and lay articles and developed and delivered numerous continued professional development (CPD) and training events.

Dr Beckett has worked as the Chief Veterinary Officer for the Isle of Man Government since 2021. 

Her current role involves heading the animal health team which covers animal health, animal welfare, trade in animals and animal products, bees, veterinary medicines, OV controls at the meat plant, artificial insemination of cattle, animal traceability, licencing animal breeding, horse riding and boarding establishments. Her team regulates as well as develops policy and legislation 

in these areas. She works with the UK Government to ensure that there is alignment in areas of animal health, welfare, veterinary medicines and trade to ensure the Isle of Man is able to trade in animal and animal products. She qualified as a vet in 2004 and worked in various practices until 2020.

Mark graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1996 and stayed there in a number of post-graduate and clinical roles in equine medicine. He obtained RCVS certificates in veterinary anaesthesia and equine internal medicine. He completed a residency in equine thoracic medicine and a PhD in equine cardiology, both funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board. He was appointed as a lecturer in equine cardiology and internal medicine. He moved to the University of Nottingham as founding member of the school of Veterinary Medicine and Science in 2006. In that role he led on multiple education projects and continued his research interests in equine cardiology, becoming Professor in Veterinary Medicine in 2016.

He completed a master’s in medical education and a further residency in large animal internal medicine, becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2013. He is a principal fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE) and a Diplomate of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine and a defacto Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. He has been involved in the British Equine Veterinary Association for many years and authored their responsible antibiotic use toolkit (Protect ME) and was President in 2015. He continues to contribute to their Health and Medicines Committee and to the Equine Disease Coalition with a particular interest in responsible antibiotic and anthelmintic use.

He has been a clinically active specialist in equine internal medicine and has a particular interest in equine cardiology. He taught undergraduates and postgraduate students (PhD, Interns and Residents) at the University of Nottingham, working in each of its partner practices before leaving in 2021 to establish his own business as a clinical consultant in equine medicine. He is also Director of Education for the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation. He is a contributor to the VMD CANTER project and a member of the HBLB Veterinary Advisory Committee.

MSc MBA

Benjamin is a qualified Toxicologist with more than 25 years industry experience in EU food safety assessment and product development. He has lived and worked in UK, France and the US and lead multidisciplinary, global, teams in animal health (comprising personnel from Manufacturing, Chemistry, Quality, Safety, Efficacy, packaging and supply/launch) to develop a variety of successful veterinary medicinal products (including large and small molecules via a range of delivery routes: tablets; injectables; slow-release capsules; feed additives). He believes in the central contribution of technology towards a safe, affordable and sustainable global food supply which has motivated him throughout his career which he has instilled in the teams he has led. 

He holds a Bachelors Degree in Anatomical Science from Bristol University, a Masters Degree in Toxicology from the University of Surrey and an MBA from the University of Bath. 

Outside of work Benjamin is a qualified Mountain Leader and regularly teaches and assesses young people undertaking Duke of Edinburgh Award Expeditions in the United Kingdom. Benjamin is also Trust Chair of a thriving local Scout Unit, an Instructor with Avon County Scouts teaching adult leaders how to take groups of young people into the outdoors safely, and is a Trustee of the Grundy Educational Trust. 

MA, VetMB, MBA, PGCHE, FHEA, MRCVS

Mike graduated from Cambridge Vet School and then spent 4 years in mixed practice in the Cotswolds. From there he moved to Minster Veterinary Practice in York. It was not long before he made the shift from mixed practice to 100% poultry and gamebird work. 

In 2000 he set up the Minster poultry office in Hereford and became a partner in the business. On the move again, he then established the Minster poultry office at Sutton Bonington and became involved in poultry teaching at Nottingham Vet School; latterly becoming an honorary associate professor in poultry medicine. 

In 2011 he completed an MBA at Nottingham Vet School. For the last 4 years Mike has been a consultant poultry veterinary adviser at Boehringer Ingelheim. He is clinical associate professor in poultry medicine & agribusiness at Nottingham Vet School, where he is head of the division of population science, deputy clinical director, senior tutor and deputy chair of the ethics committee. 

Mike has been involved in various committees including the Animal Health and Welfare Board of England (AHWBE), BVPA (currently president), the Poultry Vet Study Group of the EU, the Poultry Disease Group and the APHA Avian Expert Group.

Dr Frosini is Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Clinical Microbiology, Royal Veterinary College, University of London. She is responsible for teaching all aspects of bacteriology and antimicrobials on the Veterinary Medicine programme as well as developing her own research group and acting as academic lead and clinical liaison for the RVC’s diagnostic microbiology 

laboratory. She is a qualified veterinary surgeon and member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS) with a PhD in veterinary microbiology. For the last 12 years she has devoted her career to AMR research with a One Health focus, primarily though not exclusively within the companion animal sector.

DVM PhD FHEA DipECPVS FRCVS

Dr Ganapathy qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 1991 and became a member of RCVS in 2004.  He has been a RCVS-recognised specialist in poultry medicine and production since 2009 and a diplomate of European College of Poultry Veterinary Science since 2011. 

For the last 10 years, he has occupied the role of meeting secretary for the British Veterinary Poultry Association. He has also acted as a trustee for BVPA Trust and Gordan Memorial Trust and serves as section editor for British Poultry Science journal.   

Since completion of his PhD in 1997 at the University of Liverpool, Ganapathy specialised in diagnosis, control and prevention of poultry diseases, specifically those related to respiratory and egg losses. 

Areas of research include immunopathogenesis, diagnosis, epidemiology, vaccinology and control strategies.  He has acted as an independent research grant assessor for UK and international applications. 

Dr Ganapathy’s research output includes impact-case submission for REF2021, and publication of a number of peer reviewed papers in international journals on poultry infectious diseases and the use of vaccines. 

Dr Hawes originally graduated in pharmacy and practiced as a hospital pharmacist before moving to the pharmaceutical industry, where he spent 20 years in human drug discovery and development. He then switched careers to veterinary medicine, entering the profession as a companion animal vet. Dr Hawes is currently a Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey. In addition to his role at Surrey, Dr Hawes is a Resident of the European College of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, and a Visiting Associate Professorial Teaching Fellow in Veterinary Pharmacy and Pharmacology at the Pharmacy School, Aston University.

BSc (Hons), PG Cert (Distinction) Sustainable and Efficient Food Production

Mark Jelley graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Agriculture from Harper Adams University College in 2002 and holds a postgraduate certificate with distinction in Sustainable and Efficient Food Production.  

Shortly after his studies he returned to work on the family farm in Long Buckby, Northamptonshire. The farm ran a 250 head sheep flock along with 75 suckler cows and a beef finishing enterprise, as well as 250 acres of arable cropping. Changes in structure on the farm have since resulted in an end to the sheep enterprise and an increase in the beef herd to its current 98 head of suckler cows. The finishing unit has also grown to accommodate the increase in calves being born on farm. 

In 2015 Mark graduated from Aberystwyth University with a Post Graduate Certificate (Distinction) in Sustainable and Efficient Food Production before joining the Veterinary Products Committee as a Working Farmer in 2016. 

Mark is also the Chairman of The Cattle Antibiotics Guardian Group at RUMA, setting responsible antibiotic use targets for the cattle sector and for many years has worked with AHDB on knowledge exchange. 

A qualified R-SQP, Fiona works in a sales support role for Bimeda Animal Health in the North of England. She attended both Newton Rigg Agricultural College and Lancashire Agricultural College in the 1980’s. Coming from a farming background and currently working in a farming partnership on the family sheep farm in Cumbria. She has worked in the Animal Health industry for nearly 40 years in ruminant and equine roles. In addition, Fiona also is North of England regional advisor for the Moredun Institute. Interests outside work include breeding horses and following National Hunt racing.

BVetMed PgDipAP PhD CertSAM DipECVIM-CA (Onc) FHEA FRCVS

David qualified as a veterinary surgeon from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in 2003. He worked in mixed and then small animal practice before starting specialist training in veterinary oncology at the University of Liverpool in 2007. 

David then studied at RVC for a PhD identifying novel targets for anti-cancer immunotherapy from 2010. In 2014 David returned to the University of Liverpool where he is now Professor of Veterinary Oncology.

David holds the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Medicine (2008), the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicines (ECVIM) diploma in veterinary oncology (2011) and a PhD (2014).

He is a RCVS and European Board of Veterinary Specialisation recognised specialist in veterinary oncology. David is current Chair of the ECVIM oncology specialty group, and a member of the RCVS ethical review panel and Fellowship credentials panel.

BVetMed MSc PhD MRCVS

David Mackay qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 1981 and worked in general veterinary practice before obtaining postgraduate degrees in immunology from the universities of Birmingham and London. He pursued a research career in exotic viral diseases of livestock culminating as Head of the Pirbright Laboratory of the Institute for Animal Health. 

Dr Mackay subsequently moved into the regulatory area, starting at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate in the UK before moving to the European Medicines Agency as Head of Veterinary Medicines. He retired from the EMA in 2018 and now provides independent advice to governmental and non-governmental bodies in relation to regulation and use of veterinary medicines. During his career Dr Mackay has published in peer reviewed journals on infectious disease of animals, veterinary vaccinology and regulatory affairs, particularly in relation to immunological veterinary medicinal products.

BVM&S, MSc, MRCVS

Mr Ronnie Soutar is a practicing veterinary surgeon working in aquaculture; he is currently employed as Head of Veterinary Services for Scottish Sea Farms, one of Scotland’s largest salmon farmers.  

Ronnie graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in 1980 and has worked in general veterinary practice and management as well as fish farming. He holds an MSc in Aquatic Veterinary Studies from Stirling University and is a Past-President of both the Fish Veterinary Society and BVA Scottish Branch. He represents fish vets on the Scottish Government’s Farmed Fish Health Framework working group.

He is also involved in a variety of equestrian activities, runs a smallholding with sheep, poultry and cattle and was Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Scottish SPCA, Scotland’s foremost animal welfare charity, for four years until May 2022.

MA VetMB DCHP FRCVS

Jonathan graduated from Cambridge University Veterinary School in 1996 and combines more than 25 years in veterinary practice with a range of wider industry and academic roles. 

He is Chief Executive of RAFT Solutions Ltd, an innovation led agritech/biotech food sustainability company and director of Veterinary Diagnostics Ltd (VetDx). As chair of Bishopton Veterinary Group, a 45+vet independently owned practice (members of XL Vets) based in Yorkshire, he remains clinically active in practice.  

Jonathan has held a range of representative or policy linked roles including past President of the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) and Yorkshire Veterinary Society, member of GB ‘Cattle Health & Welfare Group’ (CHAWG), GB ‘Sheep Health & Welfare Group’ (SHAWG), the Veterinary Policy Group (VPG) of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and is a past director of Cattle Health Certification Standards (CHeCS). 

He currently sits on UK Animal Science Advisory Board (ASAB) Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), the UK ‘One Health’ Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Strategy Group, GB Ruminant Health & Welfare Steering Group (RH&WG) & is a fellow of Askham Bryan College.  He is currently Chair of the Animal Health & Welfare Board England (AHWBE) & Chair of Defra Animal Health & Welfare Pathway Chairs Groups. 

In 2020 he took up a chair at Harper and Keele Veterinary School and is Professor of Sustainable Livestock Health & Welfare, chairing the InSHAW (Institute for Sustainable livestock Health & Welfare) Leadership Group. 

Main veterinary and research interests include progressive herd health, reproductive technologies and Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) approaches to Sustainable Food. 

He has published a wide range of papers and is a co-author of textbook ‘Dairy Herd Health’. He is a RCVS recognised specialist in Cattle Health & Production, Fellow of RCVS and was named UK Dairy Vet of the year 2015.

Alex qualified from The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in 2003. Since qualifying she has worked at The George Veterinary Group in Wiltshire, initially as a mixed species farm animal clinician, then specialising in pig medicine since 2008. She holds a RCVS Certificate in Pig Medicine (2011), RCVS Diploma in Pig Medicine (2016) and is a RCVS Recognised Specialist in Pig Medicine (2025). 

Alex is in her second term on the Pig Veterinary Society (PVS) Executive committee (2012-2016 and 2022 to date) and she will serve as the society President from 2026-2027. She is chair of the society medicines subgroup (2022 to date), representing PVS on the Pig Health and Welfare Council Antimicrobial sub-group and the RUMA Targets Task Force. In these roles she has been involved in setting pig sector targets for antimicrobial usage reduction and informing discussion on veterinary medicine supply. She has also served terms on APHA pig expert group (2014-2016) and AHDB(Pork) technical subgroup (2014-2016).

BVetMed DipRN MSc PhD FHEA DipECVPH FRCVS

John qualified as a veterinary surgeon from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in 2008. He completed a Dairy Internship at Michigan State University. He subsequently worked in livestock practice in the UK, before working as a ruminant veterinary advisor at a global pharmaceutical company. John gained his PhD (2019) at the University of Liverpool in conjugation with Public Health England (PHE), his thesis explored the potential of a variety of health datasets to act as 

surveillance systems for Lyme disease. Subsequently he was awarded a Fellowship in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections with PHE. He now works at the University of Liverpool as a Lecturer in Veterinary Public Health. He leads the preclinical teaching in epidemiology and public health on the veterinary degree, and supervises research on masters' and PhD programmes.

John is a European and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Public Health and has been a council member of the European College of Veterinary Public Health. He holds an honorary epidemiologist position at the UK Health Security Agency. During his career John has published in medical and veterinary peer review journals on zoonotic diseases, animal-related injuries, and occupation health in the veterinary profession.

BSc (Hons), PhD, FRSB, CBiol, EurProBiol, MIEnvSci, CEnv, CSci, CMIEEM MInstKT

Jason Weeks gained a PhD in marine ecotoxicology in 1990.   He spent 4 years in Denmark as a Royal Society Research Fellow and then associate professor at Odense University. Returning to the UK in 1994, to lead the newly created soil ecotoxicology team at the then Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (now CEH). After eight years he joined WRc plc as chief scientist.

Jason was Professor of Environmental Risk Analysis at Cranfield University until recently when he joined IEH Consulting. Prior to 2013, he was Director of the Aquatic Veterinary Pharmaceutical Programme at Cefas.

During his ten years at Cefas, he was responsible for the development of aquatic veterinary medicines as treatments for aquaculture production and fish vaccine development. 

Jason has over 30 years' experience as an international development consultant with extensive experience in the environmental and aquaculture sectors and has been instrumental in the successful delivery of significant international aid funded project work, including periods in-country (Latin America, SE. Asia; Australasia, Canada, Central and Eastern Europe, Central and Middle Asia, the Caribbean, Korea and Africa). 

He has published in excess of 120 peer-reviewed scientific papers on a broad range of subject areas mostly pertaining to environmental health and risks. He previously chaired the European Medicine Agency's Ad hoc Expert Group and was former co-opted member of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) at the EMA. 

Jason is Chair for the Pharmaceuticals in the Environment (PiE) intergovernmental group and is also a member of Hazardous Substances Advisory Committee (HSAC) (Defra) and a member of the UK REACH Independent Scientific Expert Pool (RISEP).