East Dunbartonshire vet named next President of British Veterinary Association Scottish Branch

Government vet Arabella White has been named BVA Scottish Branch Junior Vice President following our Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Saughton House, Edinburgh, today. Following a successful year in post, she will go on to be the BVA Scottish Branch President for 2027/28.

A University of Liverpool double graduate in zoology and veterinary science, Arabella has worked with Food Standards Scotland since qualifying as a vet in 2020. In this time, she has taken on roles including as Certifying Officer signing Export Health Certificates and being the team lead for Official Veterinarians and Meat Health Inspectors in the north of Scotland, before taking up her current role providing leadership to the national Field Operations team.

Arabella was the BVA Scottish Branch new graduate representative in 2022 and has been a Branch representative on the BVA Policy Committee for the last three years.

Commenting on her appointment to the role, Arabella said:
“It’s an incredible honour to have been elected Junior Vice President of the BVA Scottish Branch, and to champion and stand-up for vets right across Scotland. There are many challenges, but also opportunities ahead and I look forward to supporting my colleagues across the fantastic veterinary community to tackle these head on and continue to deliver the vital work vets do in upholding animal health and welfare, food safety and public health standards in Scotland.”

BVA President Dr Rob Williams MRCVS said:
“Arabella joins BVA Scottish branch at a really important juncture for the whole profession, as we take the next steps following the outcome of the Competition and Markets Authority investigation, which will impact vet services far beyond just household pets. Her fresh approach and energy will be a welcome addition to the Scottish branch team as we tackle this and the other issues that matter most to our members across Scotland.”

The AGM also saw Midlothian vet Gareth Hateley, a recognised expert in cattle disease surveillance, announce his retirement from the profession and step down as Senior Vice President of the BVA Scottish Branch. Gareth retires after more than 40 years of experience in a rich and varied career spanning farm animal practice, veterinary pathology, disease surveillance and veterinary leadership.

Dr. Williams added:

“On behalf of everyone at BVA, I would also like to thank Gareth for his outstanding contributions to the Scottish Branch. From representing the profession at the Scottish Covid-19 inquiry and strengthening our engagement with key parliamentarians, to providing expert advice to the Ruminant Health and Welfare Group in the battle against Bluetongue, Gareth’s knowledge and experience have been invaluable in championing the veterinary voice in Scotland to government, industry, farmers and our other partners.

"During his tenure as Branch President, we also secured animal welfare as a key objective in the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act. On behalf of the BVA team, I wish him all the very best for the future.”