Annual General Meeting (Meeting) of the BCVA (Company)
BOARD Nominees
Nicky Bowden
Since qualifying in 2007, I have worked in clinical practice, for AHDB, as part of DairyCo and in the pharmaceutical industry. I recently returned to farm practice in a non-clinical role with Nantwich Farm Vets in Cheshire.
During this time, I have been heavily involved in developing and delivering training and CPD for farmers, vets, and students. I have also worked to develop technical resources and marketing campaigns. In my current role as well as coordinating farmer training, I get involved with many areas, from social media to staff recruitment and training as well as supporting the clinical team.
I believe that this experience combined with living and breathing the farming community will allow me to bring many useful skills to the BCVA board.
Rebecca Cavill
I qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2010 and spent four years in a mixed practice in North Devon, primarily focusing on farm work. In 2014 I moved to Torch Farm Vets in North Devon to concentrate on cattle practice. I completed my cattle Certificate with the University of Liverpool in September 2016. I was elected on to the BCVA board in 2017 having been motivated to join by wanting to be more proactively involved in TB eradication and governance. I am the current lead of the BCVA TB subgroup and have represented BCVA on the BVA welfare at slaughter group and their tb policy group. I represent BCVA at TBEAG and am currently involved in renewing BCVA's TB policy as well as further CHeCS TB work and private vet TB training options. The last three years have allowed me to represent cattle vets at all sorts of different levels and I would value the opportunity to finish what we have started with the policy and continuing to champion the role of the private vet in regards tb work for the next three years.
Rachel Hayton
Qualifying from Edinburgh in 1993, I have remained in farm animal practice since, gaining the Certificate in Cattle Health and Production in 1998 and Advanced Practitioner Status in 2015.
Within our farm only practice, I have an interest in mastitis, oversee research activity and teach on core rotations for the Royal Veterinary College. I enjoy running farmer training and have an interest in how communication techniques can help us to facilitate change.
Joining the BCVA Board has opened my eyes to the hard work and commitment that goes on behind the scenes and I am keen to contribute to this further. Having been involved in Red Tractor Committees (Dairy and Beef and Lamb), Welfare at Slaughter, Milksure and the AHDB Mastitis Control Plan Management Group, I am also working on the Sustainability group which is aiming to produce BCVA’s first policy very soon. I have taken a keen interest in much of the other excellent work which has been led by other Board members; in particular on TB, medicines, BVA, education and communications.
In these highly uncertain times for the future of our farming and food production, BCVA needs to be consistently lobbying for animal health and welfare to be at the heart of policy making and to make sure that cattle vets are well represented. We also need to continue to represent the whole breadth of our members and listen to what is expected of our association. I hope that I will be given the opportunity to continue this work.
Alice Miller
I am standing for election because I see this as an opportunity to contribute towards our profession, shape its’ future and help ensure it remains sustainable despite the challenges the farming industry face.
I have been in farm practice, in Dorset, since graduating from Bristol in 2009 and continue to enjoy clinical work as well as client education (running AI courses, calving courses and discussion groups). As an Associate Director I have experience beyond this, including in business planning, marketing, professional conduct and health and safety. The role has improved my decision making and communication skills. I am on the “Dairy Sheep and Goat Consultancy” committee so have experience coordinating the conference. I have received leadership training and am interested in mentoring programs. I strive to support the mental health of colleagues and clients and am on our practice health and wellbeing committee.
I would like to continue to encourage students to consider cattle practice and could support this through the experience I have already gained with Surrey University (CIM training), communications with local schools, careers fairs, online EMS and volunteering in the farming education tents at two local shows.
I completed the DBR in 2018 and am currently finishing the Foundation-AVP postgraduate unit. Juggling work and study has demonstrated I am able to manage my time which I hope to commit to the board and its’ members.
Alan Murphy
Since qualifying I have been involved with cattle practice in various guises. I started as a practitioner, working for 16 years predominantly in the North West. I then changed tact and since 2006 I have worked as a Veterinary Investigation Officer and private consultant, involved with diagnostic pathology and advisory work. I have been awarded two post graduate qualifications and undertake increasing amounts of teaching; delivered to both veterinary colleagues and undergraduate veterinary students. I have a broad knowledge and understanding of the cattle industry as required and provided by the roles of VIO and consultant. The many differing interactions I undertake provides me with a broad and varied network of contacts.
The changes that EU exit, environmental change and evolving public perception will all have profound impacts on the UK livestock industry. I believe the BCVA board fulfils a broad portfolio of roles and has an array of responsibilities to its members. These in turn ensure its involvement with cattle issues in the UK and further afield is assured and respected. This will be key in the years to come. As an experienced veterinary surgeon, I know I can maintain and drive forward the vision of the BCVA.
Paul Williams
I am keen to seek re-election to BCVA Board so that I can continue helping to support cattle vets
As well the current challenges including the control of Bovine TB and BVD, to the retention of cattle vets in practice, the profession faces several changes in the coming years: Brexit and increased competition from non-veterinary providers are just some examples. With these in mind, it is important the profession adapts accordingly, promoting disease prevention through business-focussed services that add value and by engaging with the key stakeholders in the food supply chain. I am passionate about supporting the profession in a positive way to realise the opportunities these changes provide.
One specific and very important change will be the introduction of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway. It is crucial that vets are involved in the design and implementation of this to ensure we put in place effective and innovative programmes to reduce endemic disease, with our profession at the core of these. To aid this I represent BCVA on the Livestock Improvement Programme (LIP) design group and my goal is to ensure we include additional functionality within LIP, beyond traceability, to improve disease monitoring and control.
I have worked for MSD Animal Health for 16 years and prior to this spent time working in general practice, the State Veterinary Service and managed a non-veterinary services consultancy. Over this time I have acquired a diverse set of skills, built a broad network with external stakeholders and key-opinion leaders in the ruminant sector and have developed strong collaborative relationships. If re-elected I will continue to use these to ensure BCVA remains at the forefront of decision making on disease control, food security and welfare. I am also the only candidate seeking election from the pharmaceutical industry and feel it is important that BCVA Board is made up of different and diverse roles in order to represent the whole cattle industry.
I will be very grateful if you trust me with your vote.
