The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has announced the results of its elections for RCVS council, the college’s governing body, and Veterinary Nurses (VN) council, which makes decisions on matters concerning veterinary nurse training, post-qualification awards and registration.
This year, 14 veterinary surgeon candidates stood for four elected member places on the RCVS Council.
In total, 8,542 veterinary surgeons voted in this year’s election, which amounts to 24.5% of eligible voters.
This compares to a turnout of 26.2% in 2020, 25.5% in 2019 and 22.7% in 2018.
Those elected for four-year terms on the 2021 RCVS Council are:
- Dr. Danny Chambers MRCVS – 4,759 votes;
- Dr. Tshidi Gardiner MRCVS – 3,228 votes;
- Dr. Colin Whiting MRCVS – 2,957 votes;
- Dr. Louise Allum MRCVS – 2,368 votes.
VN council elections
The VN council election also had 14 candidates standing for one elected place on the body.
As the only candidate who came forward before the original deadline of January 31, 2021, Susan Howarth RVN was automatically re-elected to VN Council, leaving one place available.
In total, 2,341 veterinary nurses voted in this year’s election, amounting to 12.4% of eligible voters.
This compares to a turnout of 17.1% in 2020, 14.5% in 2017 and 10.9% in 2016. There were no VN Council elections in 2019 or 2018.
The person who was elected for a three-year term in the VN Council election is:
- Donna Leigh Lewis RVN – 404 votes.
All of those elected to either RCVS or VN Councils will formally take up their seats at the RCVS Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, July 9, 2021.
‘Thank you to all those who stood as candidates’
Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS registrar and returning officer for both elections, said:
“Thank you to all those who stood as candidates and all those who voted in this year’s elections, especially in view of all the extra demands on everyone’s time at the moment.
Many congratulations to our five successful candidates with whom we look forward to working over the coming months and years.
“Even though the elections were held during the ongoing pandemic, the RCVS council election still produced the third highest turnout on record, and turnout in both elections was above the average for those held over the last ten years,” she added.
“As always, we made concerted efforts to let people know about this year’s election, which included additional reminder emails sent on behalf of the RCVS by our election provider Civica Election Services, as well as regular email reminders and social media posts from the RCVS.
“We do, of course, always endeavour to improve turnout, and will continue to review this going forward,” she said.
