RCVS president outlines vision of ‘mentorship and respect’
"Please do not shy away from engaging - but please do so in a manner that is respectful of those working on your behalf" - Tim Parkin
The new president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has called for more ‘mentorship and respectful, constructive dialogue’ as he begins his presidential year.
Professor Tim Parkin FRCVS was inaugurated at this year’s RCVS Day, which took place on 4 July 2025 at One Great George Street in Westminster.
In his speech, Prof Parkin urged members to consider a route into mentorship, and to reflect on how they could ‘inspire and influence those who will do better than us in the future’. He suggested members could work with veterinary schools and VetGDP, or speak to children in schools.
The speech reflected on the changes that the veterinary industry had seen in the past ten years, particularly noting Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. He mentioned how adaptations such as hybrid working had changed how the industry works.
Prof Parkin compared these changes to the industry’s ongoing challenges, calling for respectful dialogue during the ongoing discussions.
He said: “There will be many discussions to be had over the next few years – in particular related to legislative reform and much of our direction of travel will be taking us away from the modus operandi of the last 50 years – but we all have to recognise the need for change and that none of us will get everything we want.
“Please do not shy away from engaging – but please do so in a manner that is respectful of those working on your behalf.”
Prof Parkin, who is also head of school at the University of Bristol’s Veterinary School, succeeds outgoing president Linda Belton in the role.
Dr Belton’s speech reflected upon her presidential year at RCVS. She explained how her presidency had cemented her view that the veterinary voice needed to be central.
She stated that, while animal owners may view veterinary care as an essential service, it is provided in a commercial environment. She said this made it particularly important to understand the economics of veterinary care in order to make good professional judgements.
Her speech also highlighted the issue of trust, describing how, despite negative headlines, levels of public trust in the veterinary sector remain high.
Dr Belton said: “We all have a contribution to make, not just in holding each other to account but also the systems and processes under which we work. It is difficult, and arguably impossible, to do so alone.
“However, together we can support our professions to not only have individuals fit for practise, but professions fit for purpose that meet the needs of today’s society and the animals we care for and does so in a sustainable way for both the people working to deliver veterinary care and services and for the wider environment.”
Image © RCVS
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
