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RCVS and VN Council elections winners revealed
The successful candidates will formally take up their seats at the RCVS AGM in July. 
Successful candidates will formally take up their seats in July.

The successful candidates of the RCVS Council and VN Council elections have been revealed.

This year’s RCVS Council election saw 14 candidates standing for the four available places. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, a total of 8,542 veterinary surgeons submitted their vote online, amounting to 24.5 per cent of eligible voters. 

The elected RCVS Council members who will serve a four-year term are:

  • Dr Danny Chambers MRCVS – 4,759 votes 
  • Dr Tshidi Gardiner MRCVS – 3,228 votes 
  • Dr Colin Whiting MRCVS – 2,957 votes 
  • Dr Louise Allum MRCVS – 2,368 votes 

Fourteen candidates also stood for this year’s VN Council election for the one available place. Susan Howorth RVN was the only candidate who came forward ahead of the original nomination deadline (31 January) and was therefore automatically re-elected to VN Council.

A total of 2,341 veterinary nurses submitted their vote, amounting to 12.4 per cent of those eligible to do so.

The successful VN Council candidate, who will serve a three-year term, is:

  • Donna Leigh Lewis RVN – 404 votes 

All those elected to RCVS and VN Councils will formally take up their seats at the RCVS Annual General Meeting on Friday 9 July 2021. 

Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS registrar and returning officer for both elections, commented: “Thank you to all those who stood as candidates and all those who voted in this year’s elections, especially in view of all the extra demands on everyone’s time at the moment. Many congratulations to our five successful candidates with whom we look forward to working over the coming months and years. 

“Even though the elections were held during the ongoing pandemic, the RCVS Council election still produced the third-highest turnout on record, and turnout in both elections was above the average for those held over the last ten years.”

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BSAVA partners with BVA Live 2026

News Story 1
 BSAVA is to partner with BVA Live (11-12 June 2026) to champion clinical research.

The organisation will be supporting BVA Live's Clinical Abstracts programme, showcasing selected abstracts of veterinary research throughout the event.

The clinical abstracts can be on any small animal veterinary subject, and must be based on research undertaken in industry, practice or academia. Abstracts can be presented in poster or oral formats.

Submissions will open on 15th December 2025, and close on 6th March 2026. You can register interest here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
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.