EDI Working Group

Helen graduated from the University of Bristol in 2008, spent two years as an intern at NEH and has been in ambulatory first opinion equine practice ever since. She has a particular interest in lameness, sports medicine and vettings and completed a certificate in equine orthopaedic surgery in 2015. She is an FEI permitted treating vet and was team vet for the British team at the CCI3*-S European Cup eventing championships in 2017 and 2019. Helen is currently a clinical director at Valley Equine Hospital in Lambourn. Outside work Helen is kept busy with her two young daughters and their ponies.

Sophie has spent the majority of her career in ambulatory practice in Devon and has always had a keen interest in communication and mentoring junior colleagues. Developing myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/chronic fatigue syndrome) in 2020 added a new set of challenges to work in equine practice. Being forced to work part-time, Sophie enrolled on a coaching diploma; this lead to accepting a teaching position at Surrey Vet School. Having been elected on to BEVA council in 2022, Sophie is passionate about supporting the well-being of equine vets and improving equality, diversity and inclusion within the equine profession.

Claire joined the BEVA Team in January 2023 and has taken on the challenge of making sure David and the rest of The BEVA Council are organised and where they should be. Prior to this she spent many years working with horses. When not at work Claire enjoys spending time with friends and family and, most importantly, her dog. Claire has received a late diagnosis for neurodivergence and a chronic disease and as a result she has become increasingly interested in equality, diversity and inclusivity.

Lucy practised as an equine vet in Newmarket for fifteen years, and spent 10 of those years also on BEVA Council. In August 2022 she joined the BEVA team in a permanent role, as Veterinary Projects Officer. 'Out of hours' she's kept busy managing two small people, two Guinea Pigs, a spaniel, some ants and a busy social life... but longs to take up riding again one day!

Huw was President of BEVA in 2022, and will end his decade on BEVA Council at Congress 2023. It has been his privilege to serve the membership, and support them in their professional journey. He is passionate about the empowerment of equine vets, whatever their discipline, and however they fit into our profession. Huw is also a director at the Liphook Equine Hospital, and forms part of their ten-person ambulatory team. He has a long-standing interest in equine reproduction and holds the RCVS Certificate in Equine Stud Medicine. Like all BEVA members, he juggles his time between key professional areas and the rest of his life.

James Wood is Alborada Professor of Equine and Farm Animal Science at Cambridge University. He has been Head of the University of Cambridge Veterinary School since 2013 and is a veterinary epidemiologist who conducts multidisciplinary research on infectious diseases, mostly focusing on disease emergence and control, including impacts on policy. His research interests are focused on One Health approaches to disease emergence and are based in UK, India, Ghana and Ethiopia. He worked for 15 years on equine diseases when at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket. He has published widely and sat on Defra’s Science Advisory Panel for 6 years to 2021, chairing the exotic diseases sub-committee. He is an RCVS Council Member, appointed through the Veterinary Schools Council.