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Anifera introduces new board members
The Board members are experienced animal health and pharmaceutical professionals.
“We’re very pleased by the strong team we’ve assembled to lead the business” - Dr Gwynneth Thomas.

New animal health firm Anifera has announced the appointment of four experienced animal health and pharmaceutical professionals to its board.

Anifera aims to be the innovator and leader in researching and developing solutions for adjunct therapy with antibiotics. The company was formed by Swiss-based Stonehaven Incubate and Agile Sciences in September 2020. 

The new Board members include Tony Benitz, Mark Heffernan, Malcolm Thomas and Simon Wheeler, each of which has extensive knowledge of the animal health sector.

Stonehaven Incubate Venture partner, Dr Gwynneth Thomas, said: “We’re very pleased by the strong team we’ve assembled to lead the business. As well as their extensive experience, they possess a range of complementary skills. They are excited by the opportunities Anifera’s technology provides in the livestock and companion animal industries and are looking forward to leading the company to success.” 

Benitz joins the Board following a 35-year career in animal health where he served in senior roles in research and development in several companies, including Global Head of R&D for Pharmacia Animal Health and Novartis Animal Health. A senior advisor at Stonehaven Consulting, his experience includes bringing a range of new therapeutics and vaccines for animals to the market and working closely with regulatory agencies in numerous international markets.

Heffernan is is the CEO of Stonehaven Incubate and has spent almost two decades as co-founder and CEO in private and public companies. He is experienced in human biotechnology start-ups and animal health R&D companies, building successful global teams to execute drug discovery and development and raising more than $150m in private and public capital.

Before his role as CEO of Agile Sciences, Thomas was president and CEO of Arbovax, a biotechnology company commercialising technology that can be used to make vaccines against insect-borne viral diseases. He has held roles including vice president of operations for StemCo Biomedical and director of international marketing for Bayer Biologicals. 

The CEO of animal diagnostics company, Vetsina, Wheeler is a veterinary surgeon and strategic leader with more than 20 years’ experience in the global animal health industry. He has reached senior positions in clinical veterinary academia in the UK and US, lecturing at international meetings, conducting research, and publishing three books, more than 125 articles and mentoring trainees.

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RCVS announces 1CPD app update

News Story 1
 The RCVS has announced a new version of its 1CPD mobile app, with enhanced features for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to record their continuing professional development.

The mobile app includes a new 'what would you like to do?' shortcut for frequent tasks, a notification badge, and the ability to scan a QR code from the home screen to easily record an activity.

Users will be prompted to update the app from the App Store or Google Play the next time they log in. For more information, visit RCVS.org.uk 

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Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.