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Blue Cross appoints new CEO
Chris Burghes will assume his new role from 1 June 2020.

Pet charity welcomes new leadership

The Blue Cross has announced the appointment of Chris Burghes as its next chief executive, who will begin his new role on 1 June 2020.

Mr Burghes has been the chief executive of the Royal Free Charity – the charitable arm of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust – since 2010. He has also previously worked for the Fire Fighters Charity.

“It is a wonderful time to join the charity and lead the organisation on the next stage of its strategy, building on its renowned reputation for providing unique and holistic services to pets and their owners,” said Mr Burghes.

“I have been incredibly impressed with what I have seen so far, which is a credit to the trustees, staff and volunteers at Blue Cross. The passion and dedication of everyone is second to none. I truly believe that pets change lives and I’ll be proud to lead the charity and help more pets and their owners in the future.”

Mr Burghes will succeed Sally de la Bedoyere, who has more than doubled awareness of the charity in her time as CEO. Ms de la Bedoyere will be retiring at the end of June 2020 after five years leading the Blue Cross.

She commented: “I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my time leading Blue Cross in an ever-changing environment of pet welfare and developing a strategy to deliver the greatest impact to improve the lives of pets and people. By adapting the ways our services work and taking advantage of digital developments we have been able to reach more animals in need, help more pet owners in crisis and spread the message of best pet welfare.”

Image (c) Blue Cross.

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Dechra launches checklist for veterinary sustainability

Global animal health specialist Dechra has announced the world's first Veterinary Green Theatre Checklist (VGTC) to help make surgery more sustainable.

Endorsed by leading veterinary organisations, including the BEVA, BVNA and RCVS Knowledge, the checklist is designed to reduce the environmental footprint of veterinary care, while supporting better animal health outcomes.

The checklist was launched at the World Congress of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in Paris and will be followed by an internal training and awareness campaign. For more information, visit dechra.com