Bob Partridge has been an elected member of the RCVS Council since 2006.

Council member steps down for 'personal reasons'

Bob Partridge has resigned from his position on the RCVS Council for “personal reasons”, the college has announced.

Mr Partridge was coming to the end of his second term on the council, having been an elected member since 2006.

After qualifying from the Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh in 1984, Mr Partridge worked in small animal practice, setting up his own practice in Harrogate in 1988.

With a special interest in dentistry, he helped found the British Veterinary Dental Association and achieved the prestigious Diploma of the European Veterinary Dental College in 2011.

In addition, Mr Partridge has served on the BVA Council and is a past president of the British Veterinary Hospitals Association.

He began his second tenure with the RCVS Council after being re-elected in 2010. In his manifesto, he wrote: “Whilst RCVS is seen as remote, their decisions affect us all. My mission has been to try and make RCVS more open and accountable.

“This has not been popular. However, my determination has brought about some changes for the benefit of vets and public alike and begun the modernisation of RCVS' ethos and practice.”

The former council member's achievements include his investigations leading to the establishment of an independent “Corporate Governance” committee, meaning council members' interests are now published on the RCVS website and declarations made at every meeting.

In addition, all RCVS Council papers were previously classed as confidential and could not be disclosed to members, whereas now only exceptional items are private – a change brought about during Mr Partridge's first term on the council.

The RCVS has confirmed that Peter Robinson will take up the vacant seat on the council, as he came next in the ballot for last year's election.