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RCVS and VN Council candidates announced
Candidates announced for RCVS and VN Council election.

The elections will be held this spring.

Voting opens on Monday, 13 March for positions on the RCVS Council and the VN Council.

There are three positions available for the RCVS Council. Each position is held for four years.


The RCVS Council candidates are:

    •    Professor David Barrett FRCVS
    •    Linda Belton MRCVS
    •    Dr Martin Chamberlain MRCVS
    •    Daniel Doherty MRCVS
    •    James Gartside MRCVS
    •    Steven Howard MRCVS
    •    Tim Hutchinson MRCVS
    •    Dr Alice McLeish MRCVS
    •    Professor Chris Proudman FRCVS
    •    Dr Peter Robinson MRCVS


There are two positions available on the VN Council. Each position is held for three years.


The VN Council candidates are:

    •    Sarah Jane Batt-Williams RVN
    •    Heather Jane Mathieson Kirkness RVN
    •    Katherine Ann Mortimer RVN
    •    Matthew Edwin Rendle RVN
    •    Simon Peter Williams RVN


Candidates’ biographies and election statements are available to read on the RCVS website.

The election results will be published in early May and successful candidates for both councils will commence their terms at the college’s Annual General Meeting on Friday, 7 July 2023.

In preparation for the vote, members are being invited to send questions to candidates by Friday, 24 February. To submit questions, veterinary surgeons should email vetvote23@rcvs.org.uk and veterinary nurses should email vnvote23@rcvs.org.uk

Questions must be received by Friday, 24 February and the RCVS will only accept one question per person. Any questions that are deemed offensive, defamatory and inaccurate will not be sent to candidates.

Each candidate will then produce written replies to two questions of their choice, which will be available to read on their candidate profile webpage ahead of the election.

Voting will take place online between Monday 13 March and 5pm on Friday 21 April. All eligible members will either receive an email or letter with voting instructions.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.