Directors and Staff

Below are the current directors and staff of XLVets


David Black Managing Director of XLVets I am managing director of Paragon Veterinary Group - we are a 3-centre practice - we have a Veterinary Hospital at Dalston, near Carlisle, a Large Animal and Referral Centre at Penrith and an ET Unit based at Hexham. We also have an associate practice in Aspatria. My main clinical role within the practice is on the large animal side, with a particular bias towards bovine reproduction - I hold a DBR and am an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Cattle Health and Production. Outside work, I am a taxi-service for my 3 daughters, and enjoy skiing, climbing and fell-walking! E-mail: david.black@xlvets.co.uk Mobile: 07734 388900

Tom Craig Chairman of XLVets I am a partner of the Scarsdale Veterinary Group. We are a multidiscipline, multisite practice operating from Derby and Burton. We are an approved Veterinary Hospital. We run our small animal and large animal units separately and have started our own night service for our own small animal out of hours emergency service and have expanded this to neighbouring practices. We have 11 farm and equine vets and 20 small animal vets. Our farm practice covers farms in Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. We operate one of the largest practice laboratories in the country. In my spare time I enjoy gardening, golf, walking and being driven around by my grown up family (repaying the debt). E-mail: tom.craig@xlvets.co.uk Mobile: 07971 278169

Donald McMillan Communications Director I am a partner in the Minster Veterinary Practice in York. We are a 20 vet, five centre practice with farm, small animal, poultry and equine divisions, the later acting as a referral centre for surrounding practices. My clinical role is in the farm and small animal side and outside work I have a full time job as peace keeper and arbitrator to three sons. Running is my passion but I enjoy all things outdoors, seeing new places, skiing, climbing and walking. E-mail: don.mcmillan@xlvets.co.uk Mobile: 07715 044438

Charlie Lambert Director Responsible for Farm Issues Charlie Lambert. Founder partner of the first farm animal only veterinary practice in Cheshire. The practice opened in November 1999 as a 2 vet practice. We now cover a large area of Cheshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and North Wales with a Team of 8 vets and 1 ET/AI Technician. The practice is approximately 80% Dairy and 20% Pigs with a small amount of Beef and Sheep work. The number of Dairy clients is rising steadily through reputation, hard work, dedication and a love of the job. Oh how I miss those horses with colic and the dogs with blocked anal glands!! When I am not at work I am usually running after my family or doing DIY around the house. Other interests include Shooting, Tennis, Snooker and thrashing my Quad bike around the Yorkshire Dales. E-mail: charlie.lambert@xlvets.co.uk Mobile: 07974 264272

Andrew Turkington Marketing Director I am one of 2 managing partners within the Drove Veterinary Hospital. We are a multidiscipline practice with Small animal, Equine and Farm Animal departments. I am technically a small animal partner but I am on the farm animal rota and help during the days if required. I have interests in business management and marketing all areas of the practice . We have a brand new purpose built small animal hospital and 9 branch surgeries each offering a complete day service to their local community. There are 14 vets on the small animal side of the practice. Our farm department currently has 6 farm vets (continuing to expand). We also have a 2nd company Drove Animal Health which aims at suppling pml medicines to farm and equine members of the public. This company also has a wholesale license. In my spare time, I enjoy socialising, DIY, sailing , fishing and driving the children around! E-mail: andrew.turkington@xlvets.co.uk Mobile: 07980 301465

Andrew Davies Director Responsible for Farm Issues I am a Partner in the 10 person mixed practice at Southfield Veterinary Centre in Dorchester, Dorset. We provide care for both farm and companion animals. I work exclusively on farm side which is predominately dairy and I am interested in all the usual Dairy cow production and health issues but particularly Trace element nutrition , Mastitis control and proactive Health Planning programmes. I am married with 2 teenage kids, 2 dogs 2 cats ,3 chickens and 18 sheep and I am going bald , blind and senile mainly as result of teenage kids! I enjoy Beer, Singing and Rugby and being Welsh! What a wonderful spring it was! E-mail: andrew.davies@xlvets.co.uk

Mark Overend Director responsible for Training and Small Animal Issues I am a Director of Cain Veterinary Centre, a 5 vet mixed practice based in Llansantffraid, Powys. My main role within the practice is the running of the small animal side. Since qualifying, I have experienced a broad section of the veterinary industry, having been a partner in a Dairy Practice, a Veterinary Pharmaceutical Adviser, and more recently, a Small Animal Practitioner (I do still calve cows out of hours!). My clinical interests include Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging, Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Cardiology. At home, I enjoy spending time with my children, and when they play their music too loud, I play the drums. E-mail: mark.overend@xlvets.co.uk Mobile: 07970 681497

Richard Sutcliffe Director Responsible for Equine Issues and Pharmaceuticals I am a partner of Bishopton Veterinary Group in Ripon, North Yorkshire. We are a mixed practice with 15 vets which is split into small and large animal divisions with large animal interests in pigs, dairy, beef & sheep, equine and embryo transfer. My clinical involvement is mainly with equine work but I also help with the general large animal caseload. My responsibility within the partnership is for the practice dispensary. At home I spend time with my family and when it all gets too much I retreat into my workshop – creating or repairing anything from children’s toys to JCBs. (I think it’s a “Farmer’s son” thing!) E-mail: richard.sutcliffe@xlvets.co.uk Mobile: 07801 321225

Neil Laing Director I am a partner of Clyde Veterinary Group, a mixed practice in Lanark, where I work on the farm side. I have a particular interest in the nutritional management of ruminants, and following a study trip to New York State and Pennsylvania I have implemented fresh cow programmes on several farms with good results. I am also responsible for personnel matters and employment law at Clyde Vet Group and have joint responsibility for medicine purchasing and negotiating with pharmaceutical companies. I am a member of both the Sheep Veterinary Society and British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA). In my spare time I breed pedigree and commercial sheep and enjoy hill walking and spending time with my wife and three children. E-mail: neil.laing@xlvets.co.uk

Andrew Curwen Chief Executive I am a vet who spent time in practice before moving into the pharmaceutical industry, most recently as Marketing Manager for Bayer in the UK. I was closely involved with the launch of the first BVD vaccine for cattle. My main task within XLVets is to support the directors in achieving the objectives of the group; clinical excellence in practice, cost-effective animal health care and medicines and delivery of high quality training and education. With three young children I have little spare time, but enjoy mountain climbing and cycling, when I can. E-mail: andrew.curwen@xlvets.co.uk Mobile: 07834 268137

Joanne Dodgson Operations Manager I joined XLVets after spending over 10 years working in sales and marketing roles within the animal health industry. Based at the XLVets office in Dalston, my role is to provide a central communication function for the operational activities of XLVets. Working closely with the forums and XLVet members I will provide support and co-ordination to ensure timely and effective delivery of the growth initiatives and campaigns during the year. In my spare time I enjoy horse-riding and photography. E-mail: joanne.dodgson@xlvets.co.uk Telephone: 01228 711788

Diane Armstrong Executive PA Based at the XLVets office in Dalston, adjacent to Paragon Veterinary Group, I work closely with the XLVets equine forum; organising meetings and dealing with member enquiries and provide support to the XLVet Board. At Paragon I work as PA to the directors and training co-ordinator. I enjoy travelling and spending time with my family. E-mail: diane.armstrong@xlvets.co.uk Telephone: 01228 711788

Anne Mallinson Office Administrator I have joined XLVets as Office Administrator, working with Joanne & Rachel in the Dalston Office. This is a new environment for me but my background is financial administration, having worked in retail most recently and before that in oil supply to farms, homes and businesses in Cumbria and Dumfries & Galloway. I am married and live in Cumwhinton. We have no children so have been able to indulge our love of travel and for most of the past 10 years we have spent a month each year in the USA. As members of the National Trust and English Heritage we enjoy the UK too! E-mail: anne.mallinson@xlvets.co.uk Telephone: 01228 711788

Rachel Clarry Office Co-Ordinator Based at the XLVets offices in Dalston my role involves providing operational support and assistance to member practices. I will be working closely with Joanne & Diane organising meetings and ensuring the efficient running of the office function. In my spare time I enjoy travelling, walking in the Lakes and retail therapy! E-mail: rachel.clarry@xlvets.co.uk Telephone: 01228 711788

Arron King IT Manager My role involves developing the XLVets IT infrastructure to enable effective and efficient communication between member practices. I provide IT support and development services to XLVets and try to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible! I spend most of my time working from home but attend weekly meetings with the team at the XLVets office in Dalston. In my spare time I enjoy playing football, cycling and walking in the Lake District. Email: arron.king@xlvets.co.uk Telephone: 07742 907061

Sophie Throup FarmSkills Manger Based at the FarmSkills office at Bishopton Vets, Ripon, I work with all practices to help organise, promote, administer and fund FarmSkills courses to make sure you get the most out of this fantastic programme. With a strong background in marketing and farming, this is a great job for me. When I am not at work, I look after our three young and very lively children, so there’s never a dull moment! Email: sophie.throup@xlvets.co.uk Telephone: 07854 063384

Mina Booth FarmSkills Assistant Based at the FarmSkills office and working with Sophie, I am responsible for the administration of the FarmSkills training courses and gathering claims evidence for those practices eligible for RDPE funding. I love travelling and experiencing new cultures and cuisines which I often try out on family and friends. So when I’m not in the kitchen I’m out enjoying the countryside with my dog. Email: mina.booth@xlvets.co.uk Telephone: 07748 806497

Stephanie Coupel Internship I’m a French vet, I graduated in Toulouse in 1995 and I worked in companion animal practices until 2000. Then, after graduating at a business school in France, I worked for Boehringer Ingelheim. Two years later I joined, Schering-Plough, in the cattle business unit, where I occupied various positions in marketing. The purchase of Intervet by Schering-Plough presented me with an opportunity to embark on my own business. I am setting up a company to provide vet practices with management services in France. I’m currently studying a diploma in risk and quality management, during which I will spend 3 months with XLVets; to learn more about you, your practices, and your practice management. During my 3 months, I hope that I will not only improve my knowledge about vets and practices in the UK, but also my English speaking level, and that I will have the opportunity to discover a little bit more of your country! E-mail: stephanie.coupel@xlvets.co.uk Telephone: (01228) 711788