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RCVS and VN council election results announced
Three veterinary surgeons and two veterinary nurses have been elected to their respective councils.
Turnout for RCVS election fallen for third year.

The results have been announced for the 2023 RCVS and VN council elections which took place entirely online.

The three candidates elected for a four-year term on the RCVS council were Dr Alice McLeish MRCVS, Linda Belton MRCVS and Tim Hutchinson MRCVS.

The two candidates elected for a three-year term on the VN council were Matthew Rendle RVN and Simon Williams RVN.

The turnout for the RCVS council election has continued to decline, with a total of 6,087 veterinary surgeons casting their vote. This represents 16.7 per cent of those eligible to vote and compares to 18.6 per cent in 2022, 24.5 per cent in 2021 and 26.2 per cent in 2020.

The VN council election saw a slight increase in turnout with 1,927 veterinary nurses casting their vote. This represents 8.8 per cent of those eligible to vote and compares to 8.4 per cent in 2022, 12.4 per cent in 2021 and 17.1 per cent in 2020.

Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS registrar and returning officer for both elections said: “Congratulations to all our successful candidates in this year’s elections and thank you to all those who stood for election this year. We look forward to welcoming our successful candidates to their elected places at this year’s AGM.

“While the turnout for the VN council election improved slightly on last year, it was a shame to see the turnout for vets fall again. As part of our wider council culture project, we are looking at how to increase engagement with our election processes across the board, from candidate nominations, to how we present information about the candidates, to how we encourage greater election turnout. We will be consulting with the group set up to look specifically at this issue in due course to see how we can improve turnout going forward.”

All five elected candidates will commence their terms at the RCVS Annual General Meeting on Friday, 7 July 2023.

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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.