Mr Doherty is past-president of the North of Ireland Veterinary Association and of the Northern Ireland Branch of BVA.

Simon Doherty elected president of BVA for 2018/2019

New BVA president Simon Doherty has announced that the theme for his 2018/2019 presidential year is ‘One Veterinary Community’.

Mr Doherty said that the theme encapsulates the crucial role of the veterinary profession at the regional, national and global levels and recognises the importance of continued collaboration with key stakeholders and members of the wider animal health and welfare sector.

Mr Doherty was elected president of the BVA for 2018/2019 at BVA Members’ Day at the National STEM Learning Centre in York (20 September). With 18 years’ experience in veterinary practice, industry and academia, he is well placed to represent the varied roles and diversity of BVA members.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Doherty said: “It is a real honour to have been charged with the president of BVA at a time when it is critical for the association to provide a strong voice for vets. We are a relatively small profession, the association has a growing membership who are becoming increasingly engaged due to cross-cutting concerns around issues such as workforce capacity and capability.

“However, it’s also an exciting time when many vets are exploring the diversity of available career paths, novel working patterns and the opportunities afforded through leadership and innovation.”

Mr Doherty is past-president of the North of Ireland Veterinary Association and of the Northern Ireland Branch of BVA. He currently chairs the UK One Health Co-ordination Group and is one of two BVA representatives at the Federation of Veterinarians in Europe (FVE).

Besides authoring peer-reviewed scientific papers and reports on a variety of animal health and welfare issues, Mr Doherty is influential in the provision of veterinary careers advice, often mentoring veterinary school applicants.

Alongside his other professional responsibilities, Mr Doherty is an ambassador for the livestock development charity, Send a Cow, and a Trustee of the Animal Welfare Foundation. Earlier this month he was appointed a GlobalScot in the animal health and aquaculture sector by the Office of the First Minister in Scotland.

Image (C) BVA