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Pennard Vets appoints new managing director
Pictured: Jeff Gascoyne, managing director at Pennard Vets.
Jeff Gascoyne joins the practice with over 17 years' experience.

Pennard Vets, the world's largest employee-owned veterinary practice, has appointed a new managing director.

Jeff Gascoyne, who comes with over 17 years of industry experience, said of his new role: “My role will be to help and support the entire team to achieve greatness through collaborative and inclusive leadership, as we continue to grow and exceed our client’s expectations. 

“Compassion, client focus and continually improving everything we do is what makes Pennard Vets extraordinary.” 

Prior to joining Pennard Vets, Jeff Gascoyne has worked at Vets for Pets as its operations director and later business acquisitions director, holds an Honorary Associate Professorship in Veterinary Business Management from The University of Nottingham, and most recently, has spent five years as a partner at Scarsdale Vets, where he has been executive director and executive chairman. 

“The fact that all Pennard Vets’ 99-strong team across six sites in Kent are practice owners and shareholders in the business, following the move to becoming an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) this year, was really appealing to me. Like any new member of the team, I now also own a stake in the business,” Jeff said.

“Pennard Vets is fiercely independent and has stayed true to its 125-year-old core values and that is very inspiring. 

“Knowing how passionate Pennard Vets’ directors, Matthew, Caroline and Andy, are about ensuring a bright and independent future for everyone, I was keen to become a part of the team.”

Commenting on Jeff's appointment, Andy Green, a director from Pennard Vets, said: “Jeff is highly experienced and a strategic thinker, who has the ability to help us achieve our goals. 

“He will play an important part in integrating new people and practices into our EOT model, as we expand our reach throughout Kent and beyond. 

“With a keen focus on operations and processes within the business, Jeff will help us to give more veterinary professionals the opportunity to join Pennard Vets, whilst also ensuring our clients and patients remain at the heart of everything we do.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.