Colin Thomson has become the new president of SPVS.

Appointments announced at joint SPVS/VPMA Congress in South Wales

The presidents of SPVS and the VPMA have been announced following elections at their joint two day congress.

Both organisations held their annual general meetings as part of the joint SPVS/VPMA Congress at Celtic Manor in Newport South Wales.

Colin Thomson has taken over  from Adi Nell as president of SPVS.

Mr Thomson was elected to the SPVS Council in 2010 and was made treasurer in 2011.

He qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Edinburgh in 1978 and is a senior partner at Aireworth Vets mixed practice in Keighley, West Yorkshire, having joined them in 1986.

There, he is one of the practice's most experience small animal veterinary surgeons. In recent years he studied acupuncture. He lists his professional interests as online IT and veterinary business models. Mr Thomson achieved an MBA in 2005. 

Helen Sanderson meanwhile has stayed on as president of the VPMA for a second year.

She outlined her plans for the growth of the organisation, during day two of the congress.

Ms Sanderson told how in her first year, she had seen the organisation exceed her target of achieving 800 members.

The VPMA, she said, had also grown in status and was now regularly being approached for media statements on issues affecting the industry.

"The organisations now has a voice," said Ms Sanderson.

Its number of regional organisers has expanded, as has its CPD courses, while Ms Sanderson also announced a new course aimed specifically for nurses looking to move into management.

VPMA has also rebranded and launched a new look website with a member library best practice section.

"The new branding will raise our profile and help us reach new people," Ms Sanderson said.

Her announcements came during a busy and exciting final day at the congress on Saturday.

Following on from Friday's great debate on the rise of corporate practices, four veterinary surgeons of various backgrounds shared their experiences.

Among them was Brian Faulkner who sold his surgery to The CVS Group and then left them after a year to start a small practice in Wickham Market, Suffolk.
Leanne Brown of Harrogate based Vets for Pets, Paul Morton of Medivet and Matt Flann of Pennard Veterinary Group, all shared their views on how they felt the business models they are involved in, allowed them to concentrate of the clinical care side of their businesses.

Meanwhile Susie Samuel of vethelpdirect.com shared her tips on how to check and boost the Google ranking of your business, and therefore bring more customers through your doors.

"It is absolutely crucial that in any marketing activity, you are able to check that you are investing that time and money effectively," she said.