VMG president steps down
Georgina Hills RVN.
Recently-elected Veterinary Management Group (VMG) president Georgina Hills RVN is stepping down from the role “as a result of an unexpected opportunity to change career direction”.
In a press release, the VMG said that VMG senior vice president Rich Casey will serve as acting president until the end of the year, supported by VMG chair, Ruth MacKay.
Georgina, who is currently practice director for Irby and Neston Vets in Cheshire, took up her presidency in March 2022.
Her interest in mental health had led her to consider a career change in this area - which she was hoping to pursue after her presidency. A new opportunity has, however, presented itself much faster than anticipated, so she decided to step down.
Rich Casey was VMG President from 2020-to 2021 and is an executive director of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. He will resume the role as president for the remainder of 2022, sharing responsibilities with VMG chair Ruth Mackay, co-owner of a small animal practice in Lancashire.
Georgina commented: “I feel honoured to have worked in the veterinary industry for the last 27 years. The people I’ve worked with have inspired me to learn more about how we think and feel and I am now privileged to continue this learning in my new role in a mental health advocacy charity. I am very sad to be leaving the VMG early but must seize this opportunity. I will take the values of learn, share, grow with me and will follow the VMG’s progress with great interest and support its work where I can.”
Ruth Mackay said: “George’s change of direction into human mental health is bittersweet. On one hand, we are proud and delighted that the skills she has developed during her time in the veterinary industry, and especially with VMG, have given her this amazing new opportunity. On the other, we are sad to be losing her, as her vision, passion and knowledge of veterinary leadership and management make her an excellent ambassador. We wish her all the best and hope that she will come back to share some learnings in this critical area with us in due course.”
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
