BVA Welsh Branch elects new president

Phoebe was officially welcomed into office by BVA President Dr. Elizabeth Mullineaux later that evening at BVA’s prestigious annual Welsh Dinner, held this year at the historic Cardiff Castle. She takes over from the previous President Gwen Rees, following her two years as Junior Vice President.

Graduating from the University of Liverpool in 2010, Phoebe worked in rural mixed practice in North Wales, leaving clinical practice to work as a veterinary advisor for the National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS) in 2018 before joining APHA in 2021.

Phoebe is well known among the Welsh farming and veterinary community having lived and worked in Wales since 2010. In her current role she is involved in both exotic and endemic disease outbreak investigations, contingency planning, and training and stakeholder engagement across the UK. She has been a member of the BVA since 2005 and has sat on the BVA Welsh Branch Council since 2020.

On becoming President, Phoebe said: “I’m delighted to take on this vital role of Welsh Branch President and I look forward to spending the next two years supporting the veterinary profession in Wales.

In particular, I want to support the ongoing work to ensure that Wales remains a front runner in animal welfare and sustainable food production, not just in the UK, but on the global stage. I also think that it’s vital that we are as prepared as possible to face the threat of exotic disease incursion, and intend to make this one of the priorities of my Presidency. I would also like to both thank and congratulate Gwen for her outstanding term as President.” 

Elizabeth congratulated Phoebe on her appointment. She said: “Phoebe has already proved herself an invaluable member of the team during her time on Welsh Branch Council and more recently as Junior Vice President. I look forward to working with her even more closely. There remain many challenges on the horizon for Wales, from endemic diseases to veterinary capacity, and I’m delighted that we will benefit from Phoebe’s extensive understanding of the farming community here in Wales as we navigate these issues.”

In her speech at the dinner, Elizabeth called for urgent modernisation and reform of the ‘outdated’ Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. Addressing guests, including Huw Irranca-Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, members of the Welsh Parliament, and key representatives from animal health and welfare organisations and colleagues from across the veterinary profession, she said: “Promoting animal health and welfare sits at the very heart of the veterinary profession and is a priority for BVA members. However, in order to do our jobs successfully, we need a modern regulatory framework that is fit for purpose and recognises the importance of all members of the veterinary team and the modern structures of veterinary businesses.  After years of campaigning, we’re pleased that both the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the UK Government have listened to the profession, and we’re working closely with Defra to ensure that a new Veterinary Surgeons Act is progressed promptly and efficiently.”

Elizabeth also highlighted the current act fails to legally protect the title of ‘veterinary nurse’, and to recognise the importance of other allied professionals. She added: “The regulation of allied professionals and the recognition of the important work they do, working with farmers and vets, will be particularly important in Wales. It will help to increase capacity in rural areas and recruitment and retention of Welsh talent into the industry, through more varied and practical routes.”

As part of the network of devolved and specialist divisions, BVA Branches contribute local knowledge and expertise to BVA’s wider lobbying and representational activities. The BVA President ended her speech by toasting the Welsh veterinary profession. She said: “Welsh vets are at the forefront of delivering high-quality animal health and welfare services across a diverse landscape, from urban practices in Cardiff and Swansea to large-animal and mixed practices serving rural communities in regions like Powys, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire. With growing demand across all sectors, the veterinary community in Wales remains a cornerstone of animal welfare, sustainable agriculture, and community engagement. Today is a day to celebrate our remarkable profession and our colleagues in Wales.”

Read Elizabeth’s full speech here. For more information about BVA Welsh Branch, please visit https://www.bva.co.uk/about-us/our-structure/welsh-branch/