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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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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.