Council elections
RCVS Council comprises 26 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 15 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. This means that this year there will be 3 places up for election.
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 2021
The 2021 RCVS Council election will take place in the spring of 2021.
The nomination period for candidates who wish to stand in the 2021 election will begin this autumn and end on 31 January 2021.
The RCVS Council Election is independently run by Civica Election Services (formerly Electoral Reform Services) - an experienced provider of ballot advisory and management services to UK and worldwide organisations.