Mrs Hannah Eastwood

BVetMed VBMA CertAVP MScVPS MRCVS

Candidate 5 of 15

Proposers

Dr Samuel Mauchlen MRCVS

Dr Sian Wotherspoon MRCVS

Contact details

A 18 Fairfield Avenue, Bollington, Cheshire SK10 5LZ

M 07834 732 604

E [email protected]

W www.linkedin.com/in/hannahvictoriayeates

Candidate biography

I am a veterinary surgeon who qualified from the Royal Veterinary College and later completed a Masters in Veterinary Professional Studies with Distinction at The University of Liverpool, which allowed me to explore where my passions of clinical excellence and business meet.

My career includes time in mixed, small animal and equine practices, supporting clinics across the UK and I currently work as Head of Commercial at a leading veterinary imaging company. I have previously been a member of BEVA Council and this combined experience has given me insight into how practices of different sizes and structures operate across the UK spanning multiple species, ownership models, and settings from primary care through to referral and academic institutions.

Candidate statement 

• Why do you want to be a member of RCVS Council?

I am standing for RCVS Council because I am naturally curious, motivated by service, and keen to contribute positively to the future of the veterinary profession in the public interest. We are at a pivotal point of change, with real opportunities to strengthen animal health and welfare while supporting a profession facing evolving clinical, societal, and workforce challenges.

I want to use my varied experience across clinical practice, professional development, and leadership to help inform, continuous improvement and thoughtful, long lasting change. Changes that benefit both those currently in the profession and those who will join it in the future. I am particularly interested in how regulation, education, and standards can evolve in ways that remain robust while also being practical and supportive in real-world settings.

My values align closely with those of the RCVS: compassion in how we treat people and animals, collaboration across the profession, clarity in communication and decision-making and courage to address difficult issues openly and constructively. I bring a positive, solution-focused approach and a willingness to listen carefully, challenge respectfully, and work collaboratively to help the Council deliver outcomes that maintain public trust and advance animal health and welfare.

• What do you think you can bring to RCVS Council?

I believe I can bring a balanced, pragmatic perspective that reflects both frontline experience and strategic leadership. My career has spanned clinical practice, professional education and senior commercial roles, giving me insight into how decisions translate into real-world settings across a wide range of practices.

I am comfortable working with complexity, weighing evidence and engaging with differing viewpoints to reach well-reasoned decisions. I bring strong listening skills, a collaborative approach, and the ability to translate broad strategic aims into practical considerations without losing sight of the public interest or animal welfare.

I also bring experience of change management, technology adoption, and workforce development, which I believe are increasingly relevant to the Council’s work. Above all, I aim to contribute thoughtful governance, clear communication, and a solution-focused mindset – supporting decisions that maintain public trust while enabling the profession to adapt, remain resilient, and continue delivering high standards of care.

• What relevant experience do you have?

I am a veterinary surgeon with experience within the UK and internationally, across mixed, small animal, and equine practices. This has given me insight into how different sizes and types of practices operate across species, ownership models and settings ranging from primary care to referral and academic institutions.

Alongside clinical work, I completed a Masters in Veterinary Professional Studies with distinction, developing a strong understanding of leadership, education, and professional development within the veterinary context. I currently work in a senior leadership role as Head of Commercial at a leading veterinary imaging company, working closely with vets, nurses, educators, and industry partners to support clinical standards, training, and the responsible use of technology.

I have also spent a term on BEVA Council, where I was involved in project work supporting collaboration with veterinary paraprofessionals. This included being a co-founder of the MumsVet initiative, which supports women returning to the profession after having children.

These roles have given me experience of informed decision-making, working with a wide range of professionals, and understanding the real-world impact of standards and policy. They have shaped a perspective that values evidence, balance, and collaboration in the service of animal health, welfare and the public interest.

• Is there anything else you would like to add in support of your candidacy?

I believe that high standards of care start with listening to veterinary professionals, to clients and to the wider communities the profession serves. Whether considering education, the responsible use of technology or the support structures that underpin veterinary work, I aim to bring a balanced, evidence-led and collaborative approach to complex decisions.

I am standing to contribute thoughtful governance, empathy, and practical experience to RCVS Council, with a clear focus on decisions that protect animal health and welfare while serving the public interest.