BEVA Structure | BEVA
  1. Resources
  2. Education
  3. Career support
  4. Get involved
  5. About us
BEVA Logo
  1. Resources
  2. Education
  3. Career support
  4. Get involved
  5. About us
BEVA Council BEVA Council

BEVA Structure

As a charity, we are governed by a Board of Trustees. Our elected presidential tree sits with our Trustees on the Board of Management.

Our council members and committees are formed through elected representative members, who contribute to guiding and driving our strategies and activities.

Our office team support our board and committees by managing the day-to-day administration of the association.


Board of Trustees and Presidential Tree
Our trustees and the presidential tree make up our Board of Management. They are responsible for ensuring everything we do achieves our charitable objectives.
Bruce Bladon
BEVA President, BVM&S, Cert EP, DESTS, Dipl ECVS, FRCVS, RCVS & European Specialist in Equine Surgery
Bruce Bladon
BEVA President, BVM&S, Cert EP, DESTS, Dipl ECVS, FRCVS, RCVS & European Specialist in Equine Surgery
Bruce Bladon graduated from Edinburgh University in 1988. He spent one year in mixed practice and then six years in two equine practices (Endell Veterinary Group in Salisbury and O’Gorman Slater and Main in Newbury), before joining Bristol University as Resident in Equine Surgery. He was awarded the Certificate of Equine Practice in 1992, the Diploma of Equine Soft Tissue Surgery in 1999 and Diploma of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2001. He returned to Donnington Grove Veterinary Group (as it is now) in 1998, and is now a Clinical Director. He has been recognised as a Specialist in Equine Surgery since 2000, and was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2016. He has lectured extensively, including to the British, South African, Australian, New Zealand, Dutch, Italian and Israeli Equine Veterinary Associations, international meetings in Brazil Canada, Spain, Germany and to the European and American Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons. Bruce is the principle equine surgeon at Donnington Grove Veterinary Surgery. The practice treats a large number of racing Thoroughbreds, but also has a substantial leisure horse population, including a large referral case load. The practice performs a significant number of scintigraphy bone scans and a very large number of MRI scans, using the Hallmarq® standing low field scanner. Bruce’s key interests are surgery, especially fracture repair and colic surgery, though he undertakes all procedures presented to him. He is also very involved with advanced imaging, particularly MRI. Bruce Bladon was Emergency Services Team Leader at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Bruce is an eco warrior and drives a zero emissions vehicle. He is a (low level) rugby union referee. He can’t really run under 5 min per km pace anymore and can’t remotely keep up with his son (or wife). He does manage to squeeze in the occasional ski trip, but otherwise is not allowed out, and spends his time either in an operating theatre or looking at black and white images.
Imogen Burrows
President Elect, BVetMed CertAVP(EM) MRCVS
Imogen Burrows
President Elect, BVetMed CertAVP(EM) MRCVS
Imogen graduated from the RVC, London in 2000 and was awarded the RCVS Certificate in Equine Medicine and Advanced Practitioner status in 2014. She works in first opinion equine practice and mentors new graduates as a VetGDP advisor; she has also been an RVN clinical coach. She is responsible for overseeing veterinary undergraduate rotations in the clinic and examines at the University of Surrey. Imogen is a BEVA council member, sitting on the Education Committee and is current Chair of the Ethics and Welfare Committee. She is passionate about education, improving standards of clinical care and welfare.
Kate Blakeman
Junior Vice President, BVSc CertAVP MRCVS
Kate Blakeman
Junior Vice President, BVSc CertAVP MRCVS
Roger Smith
Immediate Past President, MA VetMB PhD FHEA DEO DipECVSMR DipECVS FRCVS LAIA-ECVDI
Roger Smith
Immediate Past President, MA VetMB PhD FHEA DEO DipECVSMR DipECVS FRCVS LAIA-ECVDI
Roger Smith is professor of equine orthopaedics at the RVC and has particular interests in orthopaedic surgery, imaging, lameness, and tendon research. He qualified from Cambridge University in 1987. After two years in practice, he undertook a surgery residency at the RVC and thena PhD on equine tendons. He remained at the RVC and was appointed professor in December 2003. He holds the Diploma of Equine Orthopaedics, is Diplomate of the ECVS and the ECVSMR, and an RCVS Specialist in Equine Surgery. He was awarded an RCVS Fellowship in 2016 and was ECVS President in 2017.
Roly Owers
Treasurer
Roly Owers
Treasurer
Roly joined World Horse Welfare as Chief Executive in January 2008. He qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Cambridge University in 1992 and having spent a short time with the Blue Cross, he joined the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, which included a posting as the Veterinary Officer at the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in London. After the army, he went to work for World Horse Welfare until 2003, when he left to take up the post of Development Director at the Perse School in Cambridge. He returned to World Horse Welfare in 2008. Since then Roly has played an active role on the steering group of the Equine Sector Council for Health and Welfare and established the Equine Disease Coalition, of which he is Chair.
Fran James
Trustee
Fran James
Trustee
After graduating from the University of Cambridge in 2001, Fran spent seven years working in the USA at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center undertaking a surgical internship and residency prior to becoming a lecturer in Equine Sports Medicine. Since returning to the UK, Fran has worked in private equine referral practice and has been based in Newmarket since 2016. Fran is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (since 2007), a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (since 2009), an RCVS specialist in Equine Surgery (since 2010) and became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2016. Fran has special interests in equine orthopaedics and lameness and causes of poor performance in equine athletes.
James Wood
Publications Officer, FRCVS OBE
James Wood
Publications Officer, FRCVS OBE
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.
Phil Cramp
Trustee, BSc(Hons) BVM&S MS DipECVS DACVS MRCVS
Phil Cramp
Trustee, BSc(Hons) BVM&S MS DipECVS DACVS MRCVS
Phil graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh, in 2005 and went on to do an internship at the Equine Medical Center of Ocala, Florida and then an equine surgical residency at Michigan State University. He is a Diplomate of the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons and is an American, European and RCVS Specialist in Equine Surgery. He has worked at Oaklands Equine Hospital and Rainbow Equine Hospital and is currently a director at Hambleton Equine Clinic, which he set up with two other directors in 2012. He is interested in all aspects of equine surgery, especially upper airway surgery and orthopaedics. He currently sits on BEVA Board of Management, the BHA Veterinary Committee and the ECVS Exam Committee.

Council Members
Our council members are elected to council for a minimum 3-year term. During their time they sit on a number of committees, work across BEVA projects and help to inform the direction of the association.
Alison Talbot
BVM&S CertEP CertES(Orth) Dip ACVSMR MRCVS
Alison Talbot
BVM&S CertEP CertES(Orth) Dip ACVSMR MRCVS
Alison graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1999 and worked in equine practice where she obtained her RCVS Certificate in Equine Practice. She then completed a Residency in Equine Imaging at Bristol University, obtaining the RCVS Certificate in Equine Orthopaedics during this time. After working back in equine practice, Alison was appointed Clinician Teacher in Equine Orthopaedics at the Equine Hospital in 2009. Alison holds a Diploma in Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation. Alison is also one of the treating veterinary surgeons at the Horse of the Year Show and the British Open Showjumping event. She is a keen rider, eventing her own horse on a regular basis.
Angela Jones
Angela Jones
Angela graduated from the University of Bristol in 2009. After completing an internship in Pembrokeshire, she worked in a large equine clinic in The Home Counties for 6 years and was the clinical lead in their Berkshire based hospital. She moved to The Cotswolds in 2016, completed a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice in Equine Medicine in 2017 and advanced to the role of clinical director. Angela is also an FEI Permitted Veterinarian. Angela joined the Equicall team in January 2023, alongside digital content creation for a veterinary flexible working initative. Angela is passionate about flexible working and it's implementation at all levels of the veterinary industry. With the aim of providing practicing vets with the much needed time out required, in order to have the capacity to thrive in clinical practice. Veterinary interests aside, Angela loves running, swimming and yoga. But most of all she enjoys exploring The Cotswolds with her little ones and their dog, George.
Gemma Dransfield
MA VetMB CertEP MRCVS
Gemma Dransfield
MA VetMB CertEP MRCVS
Gemma graduated from Cambridge University in 2005. She worked in equine ambulatory practice in Sussex before joining the team at Minster in 2008. Gemma is experienced in all aspects of equine work, however her main interests lie in equine stud medicine. She is responsible for the Thoroughbred breeding, Artificial Insemination, Embryo Transfer, foaling, and infertility investigations at the clinic. She also enjoys investigating and treating mares with hormonal behavioural problems. In 2011, Gemma gained an RCVS Certificate in Equine Practice and became Clinical Director in September 2015. Gemma is the Senior Veterinary Surgeon at York racecourse, is a FEI permitted treating veterinarian and a riding school inspector. Outside of work she spends most of her time chasing around after her two children and enjoys yoga.
Helen Bickerton
Helen Bickerton
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.
Ian Beamish
Ian Beamish
Ian qualified from the RVC in 2006. He completed an internship at NEH in 2008 and then travelled to New Zealand where he worked as a repro and racing vet. In 2010 Ian joined Baker McVeigh in South Africa. In South Africa ian and his wife Laura began a road trip home from the southern to northern-most points in Africa. Ian moved to Chantilly, France in 2012 and returned to Newmarket in 2013 before joining the Baker McVeigh Lambourn practice in 2017. Ian joined BEVA as a Council member in 2021. He enjoys playing with his kids, watching football and riding his bike.
James Crabtree
BVM&S CertEM(StudMed) FRCVS
James Crabtree
BVM&S CertEM(StudMed) FRCVS
James graduated from Edinburgh in 2001. After four years in mixed practice, he transitioned into equine stud practice and now leads the team at Equine Reproductive Services (UK). In 2010 he gained the RCVS Certificate in Stud Medicine and became an honorary lecturer at the University of Liverpool, teaching and examining CertAVP candidates. James continues to perform and publish practice-based research and collaborates widely. He is an Advanced Practitioner in Equine Stud Medicine, a BEVA council member and trustee of the International Equine Reproduction Trust. In 2022, he was awarded an RCVS Fellowship for meritorious contributions to clinical practice.
Jenny Hindmarsh
Jenny Hindmarsh
Jo Suthers
Jo Suthers
Nicola Housby Skeggs
Nicola Housby Skeggs
Rebekah Sullivan
Rebekah Sullivan
Qualified from Bristol University in 2005 and having discovered a previously unsuspected interest in equine medicine during final year, went out to gain hands on equine experience through spending a month working as a new graduate vet in a SPANA clinic in Morocco. This was followed with 7 years in mixed practice, including first opinion equine ambulatory work and a further period of volunteering for a working equid charity in Egypt. Joined the Donkey Sanctuary in 2012, gaining the CERT AVP in Equine Medicine and eventually becoming the lead vet for medicine. After completing the MSc in One Health in 2023 and cementing a passion for all things One Health both nationally and internationally, started a new position mixing clinical vet work with an advisory role to the Donkey Sanctuary international team. Strong interest in all things welfare, medicine and education, with an enthusiasm for exploring and promoting ways to improve sustainability in veterinary practice.
Safia Barakzai
BVSc, MSc, DESTS, Dipl. ECVS, FRCVS
Safia Barakzai
BVSc, MSc, DESTS, Dipl. ECVS, FRCVS
RCVS and European Specialist in Equine Surgery Safia qualified from Bristol University in 1998 and after a couple of years in mixed practice, did an equine surgical residency Edinburgh University. She stayed on at the University as a Lecturer and then Senior Lecturer in Equine Surgery for a further 9 years. During this time she sat the RCVS Certificate (2002) and then Diploma (2008) in Equine Soft Tissue Surgery, and gained the European College of Veterinary Surgeons Diploma in Equine Surgery (2005). After finally leaving academia in 2012, she spent 5 years working in large private equine hospitals before setting up her own peripatetic surgical consultancy in 2017 providing advice, overground endoscopic and surgical services to practices in the UK and abroad. She has over 90 peer reviewed publications in the veterinary scientific literature and currently sits on the Editorial Consultants Board for Equine Veterinary Journal. Her clinical and research interests focus on the equine upper respiratory tract, equine dentistry, minimally invasive soft tissue surgery (laser surgery and laparoscopy) and imaging of the equine skull. She regularly lectures at CPD meetings and conferences and outside of work is a keen kitesurfer.
Sophie Eaden
BVSc MRCVS
Sophie Eaden
BVSc MRCVS
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.

BEVA Committees

All of our council members sit on at least one BEVA Committee. Find out more about the committees

Find out more

Office Team
The office is made up of 16 members of staff who are responsible for the administration of the association.
David Mountford
Chief Executive Officer
David Mountford
Chief Executive Officer
During his time with British Equine Veterinary Association David has seen many changes. From 2010 David took on the role of Chief Executive and has since transformed BEVA in to an ever expanding operation with the member’s consideration always at forefront when planning. The BEVA Trust another charitable arm of BEVA has also had great changes with a new direction proving to play a pivotal role in looking at the welfare of our equine population.
Lucy Grieve
Veterinary Projects Officer
Lucy Grieve
Veterinary Projects Officer
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!
Claire Goodban
Executive Assistant
Claire Goodban
Executive Assistant
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. When not at work Claire enjoys spending time with friends and family and, most importantly, her dog.
Rebecca Radley
Marketing and Membership Engagement Manager
Rebecca Radley
Marketing and Membership Engagement Manager
Rebecca has been with BEVA since 2017 and heads up the marketing and communication team. When not at work she can be found chasing her toddler and two dogs around the park or chasing her husband up mountains.
Fiona Williams
Marketing Executive
Fiona Williams
Marketing Executive
Fiona joined the BEVA team in June 2019 and is the main contact for membership queries. Outside of work Fiona is often found at the stables riding or out and about with her camera building up her photography portfolio.
Beth Coburn
Membership Officer
Beth Coburn
Membership Officer
Beth joined BEVA in October 2022 and looks after incoming membership enquires, as well as studying for her business administration apprenticeship. Outside of work you can find her spending time with friends, at the gym or travelling somewhere new.
Debbie Wylie
CPD Programme Manager
Debbie Wylie
CPD Programme Manager
Debbie joined the BEVA team in 2013 as Office Administrator and took over as CPD Programme Manager in January 2015. She is a busy mum of two teenagers and spends the majority of her spare time as 'Mum's taxi'.
Chloe Morfill
CPD Executive
Chloe Morfill
CPD Executive
Chloe joined BEVA in January 2023 and looks after CPD bookings and course administration. Outside of work, you can find her curled up with a book, spending time with her family and friends, or baking something chocolatey!
Jocelyn Thompson
Partnerships and Events Manager
Jocelyn Thompson
Partnerships and Events Manager
Joss is a longstanding member of the BEVA team. Her role focuses on running Congress, looking after our commercial partners and creating BEVA artwork. When not in the office, she is a mum of two energetic boys and has more recently joined karate (don’t let the smile fool you!)
Sarah Gasper
Education Manager
Sarah Gasper
Education Manager
Sarah graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in 2002 and returned to Edinburgh after a couple of years in mixed practice (and a bit of travelling) to do a residency in Equine Practice. She then locummed and worked in various equine practices (including a stud season in Australia), gained her Certificate in Equine Practice and finally settled at Leahurst Equine Practice as a Lecturer in Equine Practice. Life intervened and after moving sideways into the Veterinary Post Graduate Unit at Liverpool, where she ran online teaching modules and examined Equine Practice synoptics, she relocated south and joined BEVA as their Learning Manager. She oversees all BEVA's Education (apart from Congress) and loves the challenge of tailoring CPD to fit equine vets and their teams. Outside of work, she is kept grounded in real life by children, her equine vet husband, dogs, ponies and a small farm.
Leaya Slater
BEVA Trust Secretary
Leaya Slater
BEVA Trust Secretary
Sue Wright
Publications Manager
Sue Wright
Publications Manager
Sue has been working in the Editorial Office since 2006. She is responsible for the production of BEVA’s two journals, Equine Veterinary Journal and Equine Veterinary Education. At weekends she enjoys relaxing with her husband, two grown-up children and her three young grandsons.
Jane Gamble (formerly Woodley)
Editorial Secretary
Jane Gamble (formerly Woodley)
Editorial Secretary
Jane works in the editorial office dealing with authors, reviewers and editors and processing submissions to both EVJ and EVE. In her spare time, she 'enjoys' jogging and cycling and has recently taken up archery.
Effie Brooks
Finance and HR Manager
Effie Brooks
Finance and HR Manager
Effie joined the team in 2010 and looks after the finances and HR matters. When not in the office she is found spending time with her family and animals whilst also enjoying the odd Sambuca or two.
Alex Malcom
CRM Manager
Alex Malcom
CRM Manager
Alex is usually found with something digital, somewhere in the BEVA office. In charge of all things IT & Systems he is charge of making sure that everything tech runs as smoothy as possible. When he is not maintaining BEVA systems he can generally be found wrangling either a son, a puppy, a cat or all of the above! In whatever time is left he will usually be found on a cricket ground somewhere playing or coaching.
Adam Smith
Digital Assistant (Apprentice)
Adam Smith
Digital Assistant (Apprentice)
Adam joined BEVA in April 2023 and supports the team with any digital queries, as well as studying for his Digital Support apprenticeship. Outside of work you can find him training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or playing guitar.