The BSAVA is an Association that is run by its members, for its members, promoting high levels of scientific and educational standards in small animal medicine and surgery in practice, teaching and research. In order for the Association to deliver the support and advice veterinary professionals require, numerous Committees bring together members from a diverse range of backgrounds. Further details and the function of each committee can be found below.
Committees
Our Commitees
Ancillary Officers
- Matthew Erskine– Chair of Regions regionscoordinator@bsava.com
- Sophie Oliver– Student Liaison Officer slo@bsava.email
Academic Board
- Alastair MacMillan
- Alison Moores
- Amy Jones
- Andrew Denning
- Aoife Reid
- Christina Maunder
- Claire Vinten
- Efa Llewellyn
- Gaby Ireland
- Georgia Stone
- Jimmy Simpson
- Joy Ioannides
- Kate Bradley
- Laura Haddock
- Nicci Johnson
- Philippa Welsh
- Richard Coe
- Rosanne Jepson
- Sarah Bagnoli
- Sarah Long
- Simon Hagley
- Ursula Deitrich
Board of Officers
President
Julian Hoad BVetMed BSc(hons) MRCVS
Julian graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1996, having previously completed a microbiology and biochemistry degree and worked with HIV and related retroviruses for several years at the institute of Cancer Research in London.
After three years of mixed practice in Kent he settled into small animal practice in Surrey and Sussex. He has been partner, owner and now clinical director of a first opinion practice in West Sussex for the past 15 years.
He has a strong interest in ultrasonography, soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery and has written and given talks in these subjects to vets and nurses throughout the UK and abroad.
He has written chapters in several veterinary and nursing text books (and a virology manual) and is currently co-editing the new BSAVA Manual of Advanced Veterinary Nursing.
Julian has been married to Sylvia for 16 years and has two daughters, two cats and an elderly dog. He is a keen climber and mountaineer; skier and canoeist. Although when the weather is unfavourable he is happier to be involved with the local amateur dramatics group.
Vice President
Susan Little
Having qualified from Glasgow in 1992, Susan spent most of her full time career in small animal general practice. Starting up and growing her own practice whilst raising a young family was certainly busy and challenging, but joining a BSAVA regional committee created friendships and support, as well as a different, very social perspective. Becoming a regional officer and organising Scottish Congress led into terms as Regions CoOrdinator and PetSavers Chair. With an interest in management and leadership, she has held Managing Director and Business Development Director posts, covering multiple practices in Scotland and the Scottish Borders.
Alongside working in practice, she served as the vet member on the RCVS RVN PIC committee and in various roles at the R(D)SVS, supporting undergraduate admissions and examining.
No longer active in clinical work, Susan is involved with several charities, enjoys travel whenever possible and exercise on occasion. She lives in Edinburgh and currently only has one cat, who would very much prefer to move somewhere more sunny, despite his white coat!
Junior Vice President
Niall Connell, BVMS CertSAO FRCVS
Having grown up in the West of Scotland, Niall gained his BVMS degree from Glasgow and entered mixed practice in Fife. He joined PDSA in London where he enjoyed his first BSAVA congress at London Novotel. He then relocated to Glasgow to continue his PDSA career.
Niall obtained his CertSAO just before becoming Senior Veterinary Surgeon at East Glasgow PDSA. He did occasional sole charge locums too.
Niall took ill health retirement from clinical practice in 2010, suffering from secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis. He volunteered for an NHS hospital patient information centre in Glasgow. He now does e-portfolio assessment and occasional teaching at Glasgow vet school.
Niall served on RCVS council for ten years and was RCVS president in 2019/20 which included the first four months of the Covid pandemic. Then he was RCVS Treasurer for two years. He was chair of the Diversity and Inclusion group. In 2022 he became FRCVS for meritorious contributions to the veterinary profession and is currently chair of the RCVS Fellowship Board.
Niall received an honorary doctorate in 2023 from Edinburgh University for contributions to diversity and Inclusion.
Niall is a trustee of the Scottish SSPCA. He has really enjoyed his work with the BSAVA volunteer development committee.
He lives in South Ayrshire with his wife, Colette. They have three grown up children and three grandchildren. A Border Terrier and a ginger rescue cat rule the house.
Member Trustee
Adam Gow
Adam qualified from the R(D)SVS, with an initial interest in exotic species, before developing a specialist in internal medicine. He has worked in many types of small animal practice, from single practitioner, emergency clinics to multidisciplinary hospitals before moving back to the R(D)SVS for residency, PhD and then 6 years as head of small animal internal medicine. Adam currently serves as Clinical Lead for the Zoetis Global Consultation Service, supporting general practitioners worldwide in managing complex medical cases.
Adam has been involved with BSAVA for many years, with terms on Scottish, Education and PetSavers committees. He has a keen interest in veterinary clinical research and education.
Adam has lived in Edinburgh with his wife Debbie, two children, three cats, and the occasional mouse that is brought in.
Jo Megarity RVN
Jo has worked in the veterinary industry since 2007 and has always had a special interest in rabbits. She owns LagoLearn, which provides rabbit specific CPD to veterinary professionals in the UK and Internationally. She spends a significant amount of voluntary time highlighting animal welfare, is the Secretary of the AZEVN, a BSAVA volunteer and is proud have been the President of the BVNA in 2019-2020. Jo has received several awards over the years including the Blue Cross Veterinary Nurse of the Year, the IFAW Animal Advocate Award and an RCVS Innovation Award.
Alex Murphy
Alex Murphy is a strategic marketing consultant with over 20 years of experience marketing businesses across financial services, e-commerce, retail, and technology sectors. As founder of Consultant CMO ( www.consultantcmo.co.uk ), a marketing strategy consultancy, and co-founder of Balance ( www.thebalanceagency.com ), a financial services digital marketing agency, Alex brings deep expertise in brand positioning, digital strategy, and organisational transformation.
Throughout his career, Alex has held senior leadership roles at FTSE 100 companies, including Marketing Director at Admiral and Head of Digital roles at Go.Compare and The Royal Mint. This breadth of experience has equipped him with a sophisticated understanding of how organisations scale, communicate effectively digitally, and navigate complex stakeholder landscapes—skills that translate directly to governance and board-level strategic thinking. Though not directly involved with the veterinary profession, he has experience launching and growing pet insurance products and working with pet nutrition brands.
Alex is committed to bringing this strategic and commercial perspective to BSAVA’s Board of Officers, helping the association strengthen its positioning, effectiveness, and impact within the veterinary profession.
He is based in Cardiff, Wales with his wife, two daughters (one of whom is determined to be a vet) a mainecoon, a ragdoll and a hamster.
Nick Williams
Nick qualified from Cambridge University with a degree in Medical and Veterinary Sciences before changing direction to qualify as a Chartered Accountant in public practice. Since qualification he has worked in industry in property services and care services with a focus on data analysis and reporting and financial planning. He has been involved with the BSAVA since 2019, initially as a Lay Member on the Audit and Risk Committee.
He lives in Nottinghamshire with his wife Emma, a practicing vet, and two young children. In his occasional free moment he enjoys bike rides and indoor rock climbing.
Dr Peter Higgins
Peter has been a vet for over 30 years. He hails from Australia and has worked in a variety of practices. Before moving to the UK Peter was a clinician in the School of Veterinary Science at The University of Sydney. Peter has had a lifelong passion for animals and improving the understanding and education of the community. Professionally he has worked in many senior roles that have brought improved outcomes for animals. His driving tenet is to make a difference. Peter has written two books on pet care and has his own pet YouTube channel.
Since moving to the UK, he has worked in veterinary clinics in London, and is also an Official Veterinarian for the Animal and Plant Health Agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. In Australia, Peter volunteered at two charity clinics which provided veterinary services for disadvantaged people and their pets.
He is a Fellow of the Linnean Society as well the Zoological Society of London and recently served as a Trustee of the Society. Animal welfare has always been a special interest for Peter, and he is a member and representative of the Universities Federation of Animal Welfare, as well as serving on the board of the Veterinary Institute of Animal Ethics, the Australian Veterinary Association’s Animal Welfare Committee, and the Animal Welfare Committee for the Faculty of Veterinary Science.
Additionally, Peter has business qualifications with over 25 years of experience as a director or trustee in professional association or related charities. He has worked in industry and government as well as leading a major communications initiative for the AVA. Peter incorporates skills in governance, marketing, media, finance, and leadership skills.
Peter is an avid sports fan and in particular rugby union, cricket, and athletics. Currently, Peter has two German Pinschers called Heidi and Kaiser and a cat called Tilly.
Co-opted Board Member
Peter Graham BVMS CertVR PhD DipECVCP MRCVS
Peter remained at Glasgow University after graduating in 1989 as Small Animal House Physician, Research Scholar and Lecturer in Clinical Pathology until 1996 obtaining his PhD in 1995. Subsequently, he was an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University from 1996 and Managing Director of Dechra Pharmaceutical’s Laboratory services, NationWide and Cambridge Specialist Laboratories 2002-2014. He is now Professor of Endocrinology and Clinical Pathology, University of Nottingham. He is a past president of the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology.
Peter has been a BSAVA Member since the mid-1990’s and has held roles on North West and East Midlands Regional Committees and on PetSavers Grant Awarding Committee and Big Project Board.
Peter and his partner Nick live in Leicestershire with their 3 young children and spend much of their time outside work ferrying them to their various after-school activities.
FCA- Non-executive director
Stephen Spill MA (Oxon)
Steve is BSAVA’s first non-executive director, and a non-veterinarian.
Steve graduated in History from Christ Church, Oxford and went on to qualify as a Chartered Accountant. He has enjoyed a long executive career, initially as an auditor and later a business adviser and manager. The final segment of his executive career was as Chief Operating Officer of the Central & Eastern European operations of a major global professional services group, where he oversaw its operations in more than 30 offices across 19 countries.
As well as London, Surrey and South Wales, Steve has lived and worked in Rome, Budapest, Prague and Warsaw.
Steve now holds a portfolio of non-executive positions which, as well as BSAVA, include social housing, an NHS trust, international employee benefits and a mental health charity. His specialisms are finance, risk management and business growth strategy.
He lives in the Vale of Glamorgan in converted farm buildings, surrounded by (mainly large) animals, his involvement in small animals limited to the family cat, watching the neighbour’s sheepdogs at work, and providing protection for a hedgehog family. He enjoys cycling and walking in the rural Vale and travelling.
BSAVA Council
Council Members
- Freda Scott-Park – councilchair@bsava.com – Independent Chair of Council
- Ian Ramsey – Co-Chair of Council
- Susan Dawson – Chair of Volunteer Development Committee and Past President
- Carl Gorman – Past President Representative
- Ed Hall – Past President Representative
- Peter Higgins – Chair of Audit and Risk Committee
- Fenella Johnson– Cymru / Wales Council Representative
- Lydia Kerridge – South West Council Representative
- Hannah Langley – North East Council Representative
- Eleanor O’Leary – Southern Council Representative
- Vacant Post – East Anglia Council Representative
- Katharine Warburton – North West Council Representative
- Vacant Post – West Midlands Council Representative
- Julia Bennett – East Midlands Council Representative
- Laura Hughes – South East Council Representative
- Vacant Post– Northern Ireland Council Representative
- Stephanie-Rae Flicker – Metropolitan Council Representative
- Leigh-Anne Beattie – Minutes Secretary
Companion Editorial Board
- Fergus Allerton – Editor-in-Chief
- Nicola Davies – Managing Editor
- Niall Connell – Junior Vice President
- Dan Batchelor
- John Chitty
- Elle Haskey
- Jim Littlewood
- Mark Lowrie
- Lucy McMahon
- Steve Shaw
- Graeme Kowalewicz – Creative Design Manager
JSAP Editorial Board
- Karen Perry
- Aarti Kathrani
- Abbe Crawford
- Antonio Maria Tardo
- Catherine Stalin
- Charlotte Dawson
- Chiara Adami
- Daisuke Ito
- Federico Fracassi
- Giovanni Romito
- Laura Marconato
- Laura Rayhel
- Marije Risselada
- Masahiro Murakami
- Neil McEwan
- Rebecca Geddes
- Richard Coe
- Sabrina Hoehne
- Sarah Lawhon
- Sarah Ozawa
- Sebastian Knell
- Sophie Wyatt
- Stein Thoresen
- Susan Little
- Thomas Maddox
- Victoria Black
- Vinny Davies
- Viviane Gomes
- Kerry Rolph
Education Committee
Past Presidents
PetSavers
The PetSavers Management and Grants Awarding Committees are responsible for the everyday running and organisation of the charity and in ensuring that the funds raised are administered in an appropriate manner. The funds are distributed by the PetSavers Grants Awarding Committee on the basis of independent reviews.
PetSavers Management Committee
- Rosie Godfrey – Chair
- Jeremy Kirk – Chair, PetSavers Grant Awarding Committee
- Daisy Norgate – PetSavers Regional Representative
- Lyndsay Kennedy – RVN at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh
- Samantha Adams – PetSavers Regional Representative
- Rebecca Lee – PetSavers Regional Representative
- Sarah Williams – Fundraising and Grant Awards Manager
- Allie Selby – Fundraising Manager
- Adam Gow
- Jennifer Taylor – University of Liverpool
- Steven Wibberley – Lay member – Pets As Therapy CEO
- Krishna Mistry – RVN
- Lucy Rathbone – Fundraising Co-ordinator
PetSavers Grant Awarding Committee
- Jeremy Kirk – Chair
- Rosie Godfrey – Chair, PetSavers Management Committee
- Sarah Hayes – University of Liverpool
- Nick Jeffery – Texas A&M University
- Lyndsay Kennedy – RVN at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh
- Ian Mason – Veterinary Consultant
- Caroline Pellet-Many – RVC
- Nina Rzechorzek – MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge
- Christopher Scudder – RVC
- Sarah Williams – Fundraising and Grant Awards Manager
- Adam Gow
- An Vanhaesebrouck – University of Cambridge
- Allie Selby – Fundraising Manager
- Rosemary Perkins – University of Sussex
- Ivette Hernández Negrete
- Lucy Rathbone – Fundraising Co-ordinator / Minutes Secretary
Publications
The Publications Committee is responsible for ideas for new publication projects and these are implemented by a team of enthusiastic professional staff at Woodrow House. Book authors and editors are recognised experts in their field and ensure the most up to date and practically oriented information is published.
The Publications Committee is responsible for the production of the manuals series and the indispensable BSAVA Formulary, as well as other printed and digital resources for members and the profession as a whole.
The Committee exists first and foremost to serve the needs of BSAVA members, especially those in general practice. If you have ideas for new products or comments on the existing ones, please contact publications@bsava.com.
- Georgia Woods-Lee – Chair
- Ian Mellor – Head of Publications
- Flick Caldwell
- Emma Gerrard
- Claire Watson
- Julian Hoad – Senior Vice President
- Tatjana Knudsen
- Nathalie Wissink-Argilaga
- Nicola Lloyd – Publishing Manager
- Andy Perry – Minutes Secretary
Regional Committees
Throughout the year BSAVA Regional Committees organise courses which are aimed at the practitioner looking to update their current knowledge and techniques, as well as those who are studying towards various veterinary certificates.
Your local committee are instrumental in providing an array of events that provide unique opportunities to support you and connect you to others.
BSAVA Regions:
- Scottish – scottishregion@bsavavolunteers.com
- North West – northwestregion@bsavavolunteers.com
- North East – northeastregion@bsavavolunteers.com
- East Anglia – eastangliaregion@bsavavolunteers.com
- West Midlands – westmidlandsregion@bsavavolunteers.com
- Cymru/Wales – cymruwalesregion@bsavavolunteers.com
- South West – southwestregion@bsavavolunteers.com
- Southern – southernregion@bsavavolunteers.com
- Metropolitan – metropolitanregion@bsavavolunteers.com
- South East – southeastregion@bsavavolunteers.com
- East Midlands – eastmidlandsregion@bsavavolunteers.com
- Northern Ireland – northernirelandregion@bsavavolunteers.com
Regional CPD Support
- Elle Connelly – BSAVA Continuing Education Coordinator (Regions) – regionalsupport@bsava.com
Other Regional Support
- Leigh-Anne Beattie – Volunteers Manager – volunteer@bsava.com
Scientific
The role of the Scientific Committee is to provide the Association and its members with advice and information on matters of a scientific nature. The committee responds to specific professional and legislative matters as they arise, and works to prospectively identify potential issues of scientific importance to companion animals. Where appropriate it is within the remit of the committee to instigate surveys and projects on small animal disease.
The committee provides a link between the Association and its affiliated groups and works with the Association’s Public Relations Officer to address issues of public importance.
- Vacant Post – Chair
- Adrienne Conroy – Head of Policy and Scientific Communications
- Gillian Diesel
- Ben Garland
- Peter Graham
- Macauly Gatenby
- Michael Rampersand
- James Warland
- Jasmine Malm
- Rachel Lumbis
- Caroline Scobie
- Nikki Bentley
- Lizzie Croose – Scientific Editor and Minutes Secretary
Finance and Risk Management Committee
- Peter Higgins – Chair
- Jo Megarity – Honorary Treasurer
- Andrea Lynch – Committee Member
- Steve Spill – Non-executive Director
- Amanda Stranack – Chief Executive
- Nick Williams – Lay Person
- Anthony Welsh – BSAVA Head of Finance and Shared Services
Volunteer Development Committee
- Julian Hoad – Senior Vice President
- Leigh-Anne Beattie – Minutes Secretary