Professions asked to submit questions to candidates ahead of spring elections

Ahead of the upcoming elections to RCVS Council and VN Council, we are asking members of the professions to put their questions to the candidates standing in both elections.

Ahead of the start of both elections, the RCVS is asking veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to submit written questions to candidates in order to better understand them and their views on a range of subjects. Each candidate will produce a written reply to two questions of their choice, which will be included on their candidate profile webpage ahead of the start of the election.

There are 14 candidates standing for the three available elected places on RCVS Council, the governing body responsible for deciding on major issues relating to the regulation of the veterinary professions including strategy, professional standards, education, registration, and projects to help advance the professions.

The voting period for RCVS Council is expected to open in the week commencing Monday 11 March, pending formal governmental approval of an amendment to the Election Scheme. This year’s candidates are:

• Professor David Barrett FRCVS
• Dr Sinéad Bennett MRCVS
• Dr Mark Bowen FRCVS
• Richard Brown MRCVS
• Paddy Gordon MRCVS
• Dr Gerard Henry MRCVS
• Dr Peter Higgins MRCVS
• Dr Zara Kennedy MRCVS
• Dr Thomas Lonsdale MRCVS
• Penelope Morgan MRCVS
• Dr Kate Richards MRCVS
• Dr Richard Sanderson MRCVS
• Sally Schroeder MRCVS
• Dr Lara Wilson MRCVS

The full biographies and election statements for each candidate are available to read on the RCVS Council election webpage. The three candidates who receive the most votes will take up their four-year terms on RCVS Council at our Annual General Meeting on Friday 5 July 2024.

The VN Council election will be taking place over the same timeframe, also pending the decision on the RCVS Election Scheme.

VN Council has the responsibility for matters concerning veterinary nurse training, post-qualification awards and the registration of qualified veterinary nurses. The three candidates who are standing in this year’s election for the two available elected places are:

• Susan Howarth RVN
• Stuart Bobby Miller RVN
• Kirsty Young RVN

The two candidates with the most votes will join VN Council for their three-year terms at the College’s AGM in July. The VN Council candidate biography and statements are available to read on the VN Council election webpage. 

Before submitting questions to the candidates, please note the RCVS will only accept one question per person and questions must be decent. Offensive, defamatory and inaccurate questions will not be passed on to candidates.

Veterinary surgeons can submit a question to the RCVS Council candidates by emailing [email protected]

Veterinary nurses can submit a question to the VN Council candidates by emailing [email protected]

Members of the professions have until Thursday 29 February 2024 to submit their question.