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Pennard Vets appoints new managing director
Pictured: Jeff Gascoyne, managing director at Pennard Vets.
Jeff Gascoyne joins the practice with over 17 years' experience.

Pennard Vets, the world's largest employee-owned veterinary practice, has appointed a new managing director.

Jeff Gascoyne, who comes with over 17 years of industry experience, said of his new role: “My role will be to help and support the entire team to achieve greatness through collaborative and inclusive leadership, as we continue to grow and exceed our client’s expectations. 

“Compassion, client focus and continually improving everything we do is what makes Pennard Vets extraordinary.” 

Prior to joining Pennard Vets, Jeff Gascoyne has worked at Vets for Pets as its operations director and later business acquisitions director, holds an Honorary Associate Professorship in Veterinary Business Management from The University of Nottingham, and most recently, has spent five years as a partner at Scarsdale Vets, where he has been executive director and executive chairman. 

“The fact that all Pennard Vets’ 99-strong team across six sites in Kent are practice owners and shareholders in the business, following the move to becoming an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) this year, was really appealing to me. Like any new member of the team, I now also own a stake in the business,” Jeff said.

“Pennard Vets is fiercely independent and has stayed true to its 125-year-old core values and that is very inspiring. 

“Knowing how passionate Pennard Vets’ directors, Matthew, Caroline and Andy, are about ensuring a bright and independent future for everyone, I was keen to become a part of the team.”

Commenting on Jeff's appointment, Andy Green, a director from Pennard Vets, said: “Jeff is highly experienced and a strategic thinker, who has the ability to help us achieve our goals. 

“He will play an important part in integrating new people and practices into our EOT model, as we expand our reach throughout Kent and beyond. 

“With a keen focus on operations and processes within the business, Jeff will help us to give more veterinary professionals the opportunity to join Pennard Vets, whilst also ensuring our clients and patients remain at the heart of everything we do.”

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
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