Nicky Paull (BVA President-Elect 2007 - 2008)
Nicky Paull qualified from Liverpool in 1979. She started work in a 3 vet mixed practice in Lostwithiel, Cornwall with a work load of about 80% farm work. In 1982, having married a local dairy farmer she took 2 years out of practice whilst having 2 children. In 1984 she returned to the practice to coincide with the opening of a small animal branch in St Austell initially working part time. When the practice principal started to take on work out side the practice Nicky became more involved in managing the day to day issues and in 1988 purchased the practice outright. Over the years the practice has now grown to a partnership of 3 employing 8 veterinary associates and 25 support staff. Both branches are Tier 2 and are actively involved in training veterinary nurses. The surgery now offers 24 hour on site nursing and on site accommodation throughout the year for EMS students. Despite her management role Nicky still actively participates in clinical work in the practice including the out of hours rota.
On the political side of veterinary life she has been President of the Cornwall Veterinary Association and Treasurer and President of the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons. She took an active role during the Competition Commission Enquiry representing SPVS. She was SPVS representative on British Veterinary Association Council for 4 years and sat on MSG for 3 years. She joined the RCVS ESSG group to continue helping the development of a structure for PDP representing the “mixed practice” view. She recently retired from the role of organiser of the Final Year Students Seminar at Lancaster having run four seminars on behalf of SPVS/BVS/RCVS Trust. Nicky joined the BVA Veterinary Policy Group in 2005.
Nicky was a non executive Director on the board of Centaur Services Ltd for 10 years. During that time she took on the Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee for a year and more recently, became Chairman of the Centaur Services Pension Trustees and this role has continued following her retirement from the full board.
Nicky is married with two children and following the sale of the dairy farm in 2004 she and Edward have purchased a collapsed old farmhouse which they are trying to renovate. Nicky is a keen rugby fan and can bore for England on topics of the oval ball.