Council elections

RCVS Council comprises 24 members, each of them serving for a 4-year term of office. Six are appointed lay members, two are appointed veterinary nurse members, three are appointed by the Veterinary Schools Council to represent the overall number of RCVS-accredited veterinary schools, and 13 by direct election, held annually.

In May 2018, a Legislative Reform Order amending the governance arrangements of the RCVS received ministerial approval. This amendment made a number of changes to the composition of RCVS Council, including a reduction in the number of elected places available on Council from 24 to 13 over a staged transition.

Council members are also now only able to serve a total of 3 consecutive 4-year terms and will need to take a 2-year break between before standing for Council again.

RCVS Council election 2026 - question the candidates

The candidate nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council election has now closed and 15 veterinary surgeons have put themselves forward for the election which will start in March 2026. 

The candidates are as follows:

• Dr Sharon Alston MRCVS
• Mr Ian Battersby FRCVS
• Dr Laura Davies MRCVS
• Mrs Ioana Dobre MRCVS
• Mrs Hannah Eastwood MRCVS
• Dr Viliam Hoferica MRCVS
• Dr Benjamin Kennedy MRCVS
• Dr Tom Lonsdale MRCVS
• Dr Rachael McKinney MRCVS
• Miss Alison Price MRCVS
• Dr Peter Robinson MRCVS
• Dr Neil Smith FRCVS
• Dr David Tweedle MRCVS
• Dr Samantha Webster MRCVS
• Dr Lara Wilson MRCVS

As with previous years, veterinary surgeons have the opportunity to email one question each to the candidates. Questions must be sent to [email protected] on or before Wednesday 25 February 2026. 

Please note: offensive, defamatory and inaccurate questions will be rejected by the Returning Officer and not be passed on to candidates.

View results of previous elections