Our structure

BVA Northern Ireland Branch

Vacancies

We have two vacancies for General Councillors keen to play a key role in advising on the consensus view of members in Northern Ireland on Northern Ireland and UK issues. 

Read the role profile here.

Submit your application.

Applications are being accepted until 9am on Monday 15 June  

Across all of our groups and committees we are looking to ensure a range of expertise, interests, and backgrounds. We recognise and champion the importance of equality, equity, diversity and inclusion and we are committed to ensuring that all members have equal opportunity to contribute to our work, including by making reasonable adjustments where needed. 

If you have any questions about any of the current vacancies, please contact [email protected] 

What does BVA Northern Ireland Branch do?

We champion the veterinary profession in Northern Ireland. We provide BVA with the consensus view of members in Northern Ireland to shape BVA policy development and advise BVA working groups on pertinent Northern Ireland-specific issues. We also work closely with key stakeholders in Northern Ireland to safeguard animal health and welfare.

We regularly engage with the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly on a wide range of issues to provide a strong voice for vets – from recruitment and retention in the veterinary profession to a breadth of animal health and welfare issues. We also work with stakeholders and specialist divisions to promote meetings and events that are of interest to our members.

Nominations for Junior Vice President of the Northern Ireland Branch are still open.

This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved in key discussions and play a vital role in shaping the future of BVA activity in Northern Ireland, with full support and training to prepare you to step into the role of Branch President in 2027.

If you are a member of the Northern Ireland Branch, we encourage you to consider putting yourself forward and contact [email protected] for more information.
BVA NI Branch Constitution 2026

How can I get involved?

If you're a BVA member living in Northern Ireland, you'll automatically be a member of BVA Northern Ireland Branch. Here’s how you can get involved:

Feed in your views to BVA Council

Your two Northern Ireland representatives on BVA Council are Northern Ireland Branch President, Sam Strain, and Regional Representative for Northern Ireland, Mark Little.

Get in contact with Sam and Mark to discuss the veterinary policy issues that matter to you. You can contact your representatives directly on [email protected] or [email protected]. Alternatively, feel free to have a chat with them in person if you see them at events.

Shape consultation responses 

We regularly respond to Government and stakeholder consultations on a range of BVA’s priority policy areas and campaigning issues in Northern Ireland and the UK. Check what consultations we’re responding to and feed in your thoughts via [email protected]

Apply to be on BVA Northern Ireland Branch Council

Each year we seek new members for our Northern Ireland Branch Council, usually during the summer. You can find out about our vacancies online, if there are no current opportunities you can still express your interest by emailing [email protected].

Updates direct to your inbox

Keep an eye out for your bi-annual e-news round up to stay up to date with BVA Northern Ireland Branch activity and upcoming events.

Contact BVA HQ

Want more information about BVA Northern Ireland Branch or to access meeting papers and consultation responses? Drop our Secretariat a line on [email protected] and they’ll be happy to help.

Northern Ireland Branch Officer Team

  • Sam Strain - President
  • Kirsten Dunbar - Senior Vice President
  • Mark Little - Honorary Secretary

BVA Northern Ireland Branch Council

BVA Northern Ireland Branch Council meets twice a year to discuss veterinary policy issues and arrive at a consensus opinion to feed into BVA policy development.

  • Sam Strain (President)
  • Kirsten Dunbar (Senior Vice President)
  • Mark Little (Honorary Secretary/Regional Rep)
  • Sharon Verner (Past President)
  • Rachel Davies (Recent graduate/ YVN representative)
  • David Torrens (BVA Policy Committee)
  • Iain Smith (AVSPNI)
  • Robert Huey (VPHA)
  • Barry McInerney (AFBI)
  • Lauren Kee (AVS)
  • Greg Koulianos (BVPA)
  • Stephanie Winslow (SVS)
  • Robert Huey (VPHA)
  • Philip Kennedy (FSA NI)

 

General BVA Northern Ireland Branch Council members:   

  • Rebecca Martin
  • Roisin Dickinson
  • Susan Cunningham
  • Fiona McFarland
  • Esther Skelly-Smith

Latest news from Northern Ireland