Meet the team

I qualified from Edinburgh University in 1997 and have worked in mixed and farm practice ever since. After spending 3 years abroad, principally working as a dairy vet in New Zealand, I returned home to settle in Dorset working in farm only practice. I am interested in low cost grass based systems as well as supporting farmers to change. In 2007 I did a part time MBA. In 2011 I became a director of Synergy Farm Health and then in 2013 became a director of XLVet UK Ltd and was then asked to be Chairman in 2015. I am a keen sailor and gardener.

I am one of five partners at Wright and Morten Veterinary Surgeons based in East Cheshire. We are a 20 vet practice with separate farm, equine and small animal departments. My clinical work is in the farm animal department with an emphasis on preventive medicine and farmer training. We work with dairy cows, beef cattle and sheep. I have management responsibilities across the whole practice and enjoy working with our enthusiastic, capable teams of vets, nurses and support staff. When not working I act as chauffeur for my two children to their respective social and sporting activities. I have recently taken up road cycling and am a keen skier, mountain walker and ex-runner.

I am a born and bred Yorkshire man – though hail from the down-to-earth outskirts of Barnsley rather than the more picturesque parts of the county! I have always had an interest in surgery (especially orthopaedics), so spent four years in a busy city-centre small animal practice in West Yorkshire before moving down to help develop the small animal side of Larkmead, in 1998, where I continue to pursue small animal clinical work

I am the Operations Manager at Lambert Leonard and May, Shropshire and have been there since 2008. We are a 22 strong vet farm only practice. I take responsibility for the day to day running and management of the practice and work closely with the LLM Board and all the teams within the practice. Involved heavily with our HR and H&S systems and procedures. I joined the Board of XLVets in June 2017 Outside of work I play tennis and badminton, enjoy travelling, live music, comedy and socialising with family, friends and colleagues. I have three daughters in their early twenties who are great fun!

A graduate of Harper Adams, I've over 25 years experience working in a variety of commercial roles in the veterinary industry, in the UK and Ireland. I spent 10 years with Fort Dodge Animal Health, where I was responsible for the livestock business unit. Thereafter I spent 12 years with Centaur Services, the veterinary wholesaler, finishing up as the Director of Customer Service, Sales & Marketing. I am a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and completed my Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in 2012.

Based in the XLVets office at Dalston as People Development Manager, I will be delivering a variety of people projects which will benefit members. My background is all things learning, providing advice to business leaders/owners and providing learning and consultancy in leadership and management training. I love being outdoors so in my spare time you will find me mountain biking, walking or running.

Based at Pride Park Veterinary Centre in Derby, I work on the Small Animal species section of the business, coordinating a number of marketing projects for our XLVets members. My background is in marketing and includes six years as a Marketing Project Manager, working with various teams on a number of new product launches. I enjoy playing badminton and going to the gym. I also have a black cat called Mo.

Based at Pride Veterinary Centre in Derby my role involves supporting John Turkington and Emma Batson to communicate purchasing information within the small animal and equine group. My background is in the textile manufacturing industry where I was a merchandiser for three years. In my spare time I enjoy walking my dog Molly, cooking and retail therapy.

I joined the XLVets team in January 2011 as Farm Executive manager to help facilitate the needs and activities of the farm executive. late in 2014 my role changed to Meeting & Events Manager; functioning as part of the business process team, I work closely with colleagues and members across all species groups to co-ordinate the smooth and efficient delivery of all XLVet meetings. I have also developed an interest in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and following various courses during 2014/15 I achieved my NLP Business Practitioners qualification at the end of 2015. I enjoy going to the gym, walking and spending time in France which of course means enjoying their delicious food and wine too!

Based in the XLVets office in Ripon, I work part time, four days a week, 9am-3pm. In my role as Accounts and Administration Assistant, my main duties include the day to day accounting and administration of the VetSkills, FarmSkills and EquineSkills courses. When I am not at work, I am kept very busy by my three little boys.

Based in Ripon, I work as Operations Assistant for VetSkills. When delegates book onto a course I will be there to guide them through the VetSkills process, making sure everyone gets the most from their experience. Originally from Shropshire, I studied at Harper Adams where I graduated in 2007, I moved to North Yorkshire in 2010. In my spare time I enjoy walking, shooting and beating with our two Cocker Spaniels. I also enjoy running, biking, swimming and baking.

Based at the XLVets Office in Newcastle, I am a retro geek (any Amiga lovers out there?) who enjoys a spot of gaming and making the odd tune here and there.

Originally from Glasgow but now based in the North East, working in the Newcastle office, I joined XLVets in March 2018. Previous roles include working within the Retail, Manufacturing, Contact Centre and Pharmaceutical industry, ensuring exceptional customer service is received at all times in all of my roles. Outside of work, I volunteer as a Radio Presenter for the 2017 Gold Award Winning Hospital Radio Station of the Year and recently became involved with Radio Lollipop, serving the RVI Childrens Hospital in Newcastle, which involves organising essential fundraising events. I also supply emergency foster care for dogs, when required for local rehoming charities.

I graduated as a Vet in 2012 first working at a Small Animal XLVets practice, followed by an 'out of hours' only role, before going on to locum for the past three years. This enabled me to develop my interest in teaching and mentoring with a focus on EMS students and New Graduate Vets. I joined the XLVets team in March 2018 to help design and implement mentoring services, creating a variety of ways for XLVet practices to offer this to their New Graduates and other team members. In my spare time I like to travel and be outdoors or just stay in with a cup of tea and dote on my two cats!

Based at the XLVets office in Newcastle, I work as Accounts Payable Coordinator supporting the financial efficiency of the business and ensuring suppliers are paid promptly. Outside of XLVets life I am usually walking my two year old Cocker Spaniel, reading books or shopping!