RCVS and VN Council elections winners revealed
The successful candidates will formally take up their seats at the RCVS AGM 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.”
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
