Rachel Dean

I am a people-focused veterinary professional who thrives on teamwork, open dialogue, and the exchange of diverse ideas. I believe strongly that inter-generational conversations are essential to the continued development of our profession. When we listen to one another — across backgrounds and experiences — we build a stronger veterinary community and a clearer collective voice.

Our influence as a profession depends on remaining patient-focused and scientifically led. This is how we best engage policymakers and the public, shape effective regulation, and safeguard  animal health and welfare. Science, compassion, unity and practicality are critical to the future of our profession.

I have been a vet for almost 30 years and have worked across many facets of our profession since my first mixed practice role in Warwickshire in 1996. My career has spanned charity work,  academia, and first opinion and referral practice - including periods as a full-time dairy vet and as a feline medicine specialist! Much of my professional life has been rooted in the East Midlands, including nine years at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingham, where I taught, undertook clinical work, and founded the Centre for Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine.

In my current role, I support evidence-based decision-making in practice and help teams advance through clinical Quality Improvement and research. My motivation is to establish a psychologically safe culture and strengthen the bridge between science, policy and daily practice so that our profession continues to evolve, improve, and deliver the highest standards of care. Throughout my portfolio career, I have developed a skillset that equips me to represent the views of BVA members in the East Midlands with balance, clarity, and strategic, science-based pragmatism.

The veterinary profession currently faces significant challenges. In this landscape, the BVA plays a vital role in ensuring our profession is supported, heard, and effectively represented on issues that affect veterinary teams, public health, and animal health and welfare. I am committed to advocating for a profession that is sustainable, ethical, evidence-based, compassionate, and forward-thinking. With my experience, passion, and strategic approach, I would be honoured to represent East Midlands members and contribute to shaping BVA policy that truly reflects the needs and values of the members of our veterinary community.

Charlotte Farr

I have worked as a first opinion veterinary surgeon for 17 years in a range of sectors from mixed practice to export work. In 2016, I pursued my dream and created a successful small animal ambulatory practice in Chesterfield. The diversity of my career so far has perfectly prepared me to take on the role as BVA regional representative.

The challenges that I had to overcome when founding my own small animal practice have allowed me to better understand the pressures of modern veterinary medicine.  During my time building a happy, thriving team I have been consistently impressed by the commitment and dedication of our profession. As a mother of three myself, I understand the challenges faced by parents juggling professional practice with home life. I have structured my practice to allow family-friendly flexible working and I believe that such initiatives promote clinical excellence whilst safeguarding the wellbeing of professionals. I am steadfast in my support of improvements that shape our workplaces into communities we’re proud of, where each of us feels included and empowered to thrive.

If given the opportunity to serve in this post, I would actively support campaigns that promote awareness within society of the pressures faced by vets and the welfare-focused principles guiding our decisions. I would enthusiastically participate in educational outreach that raises understanding of the breadth of our role from animal welfare to public health and scientific innovation. As a group of professionals, we are a fantastic team of highly motivated, skilled and compassionate individuals.  Sometimes we forget that we are a team and we think that we must face issues alone.  I would seize any opportunity to remind people that seeking help is a mark of professionalism, not weakness, and that we’re stronger when we lean on one another.

If you share my vision of a profession where the wellbeing of animals and the people who care for them is strengthened and respected, please consider supporting my application for BVA regional representative.