Leg Up Career Coaching

Alex Thiemann

Hello, My name is Alex and I live in Devon. I have been a vet now for 35 years, and have worked in mixed, equine and donkey charity practice. My work has taken me to many parts of the world, and my current role combines clinical and educational work. I am always excited to meet new vet students and hope that they will go on to lead happy fulfilling lives that contribute to the welfare of their patients. I manage our interns and the Vet GDP work. Recently I have been appointed to the BEVA Trust Committee to continue my theme of “giving back to the profession”. I have navigated the joys of parenthood with my own family and how that balance can be challenging, whether you are responsible for young children, teenagers or elderly parents. I hope that coaching can give people the opportunity to breathe and evaluate their time.

Alice Campbell

I graduated in 2017 from Glasgow but before that I completed an Equine Sports Science degree at Hartpury College. After graduating I worked as an equine and small animal vet on the New Forest before returning to Scotland to work purely as an Equine Vet. I currently work for the Glasgow Equine Hospital and Practice as an ambulatory vet. I love being out and about on the road seeing patients and meeting clients. I have developed an interest in equine dentistry, and I have just started my Cert AVP. I have had a few ups and downs since qualifying, and from these I have learnt that I love teaching and helping students and young vets gain confidence in what is a fun and challenging career. In my spare time I am kept busy by my dogs, highland pony, chickens, and rescue guinea pigs!

Amy Barstow

"I graduated from RVC in 2013 and volunteered in Morocco before undertaking an internship at the Animal Health Trust. I left fulltime clinical work 18 months after graduating and though I locum intermittently I have been in academia since the beginning of 2015. In this time I gained a PhD in equine biomechanics and a PG cert in Veterinary Education. I currently work as an Asst. Lecturer in Clinical Skills at RVC, though I am soon to join The Brooke charity for working horses and donkeys. My career is certainly not one I planned and it is a privilege to still be an equine vet after wanting to run away a become a museum curator after I injured myself during my internship. In my spare time, I like to do all sorts of outdoor things, am a Regional Vet for the Riding for the Disabled Association and am one of the reps for Hertfordshire BVA Young Vet Network. I am looking forward to supporting our new equine vets and helping you get the most out of your career."

Angela Jones

Angela graduated from the University of Bristol in 2009 and has been in equine practice since. After completing an internship, she worked in a large equine practice in The Home Counties for 6 years where she was the clinical lead in their Berkshire based hospital. From here, she moved to The Cotswolds, completed a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice in Equine Medicine and advanced to the role of clinical director. Angela started work for an equine out of hours provider in 2023 allowing her to balance family life, clinical practice and other interests. Angela is also an elected member of BEVA council, where she sits on both the careers and education committee, and creates digital content for the veterinary flexible working consultancy, Flexee. 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.

Ann Kent

I have been a large animal vet with an increasingly equine bias for over 30 years. Having worked in the same practice in Norfolk since graduating I feel very fortunate that I work with horses, in such a beautiful part of the world where I can stop for a sea swim after work, jump on a paddle board on the Broads or ride my horse in lovely open spaces. I love my job, and was really lucky to have had a great mentor in my early years in practice and would like to follow in him footsteps. Having two teenage children, who have now left school, I can see the challenges the younger generations face and how things have changed since I was a graduate. This has led me to joining the Leg Up Coaching Scheme, as I wanted to give something back to the profession and help others navigate a path to enjoy it, like I have.

Aoife Bryne

"I qualified in 2007 & started my career with an internship followed by stints in ambulatory practice, a stud season & then a further period in first opinion with ophthalmology referrals. When I got married I joined my husband in the clinic where he worked until our daughter was born. I currently work at B&W Equine Vets."

Becky Wall

"After qualifying I spent 2 years in a mixed practice in Cornwall prior to doing an equine internship in Australia. After 2 years in Auz I came back and accepted a job at Three Counties Equine Hospital and have been here since. I work with a brilliant team and love my work but, like everyone, have had difficult times. I’ve been very fortunate to have had great mentors throughout my time as a vet and I hope the Leg Up Scheme will give others the same help and listening ear that I’ve had. Outside work I switch off by running and attempting the odd triathlon."

Cat Mackenzie

"I qualified from Glasgow in 2006 and embarked on a varied career in equine practice. Initially undertaking fellowship, ambulatory and locum work, before embarking on an internship in a busy hospital, stud seasons in both hemispheres and an internal medicine residency at Liverpool University. I now work as a specialist in Internal Medicine at Rossdales Equine Hospital. Having experienced many different aspects of equine practice, I understand the challenges and rewards involved in pursuing a fulfilling career path and am excited about helping others do the same."

Chiara Morelli

Prior to my degree I had completed an equine internship in surgery and medicine within the large animal department of the University of Perugia and joined a project researching draft and racehorses. In the meantime, I participated in hospital activities within the medicine and surgery department, with particular interest in internal medicine. In 2019, I completed an externship in a large equine hospital in Belgium and then started an 18 month hospital and ambulatory internship at Sussex Equine Hospital. In 2021, I started work as an equine ambulatory vet in South Yorkshire. In 2022 I worked as a locum vet in the Isle of Man in Wendover until a small independent practice in the West Midlands. I have a special interest in equine internal medicine and I started my Equine Internal Medicine Certificate in January 2023, and hope to complete it by January 2025. In my spare time I am a gym rat, love reading a good fantasy book and surprise(!), as all Italians do, I love cooking!!

Chris Baldwin

"I graduated from RVC in 2012 and then undertook a 2 year rotating hospital internship at the Newmarket Equine Hospital. After completing this internship I then worked in ambulatory practice for 2 and half years before obtaining a surgical residency in a private practice, which will be completed in 2020. I have been fortunate to receive some outstanding coaching during my career but have also had some "not-so-good" coaching, my experiences have impacted my career and attitude towards younger veterinarians and I feel it is vital we keep equine veterinarians motivated and engaged with the profession because it can be such a wonderful career. The BEVA leg up initiative is an excellent opportunity and one I look forward to being involved with more."

Claire Robinson

I graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2010. After graduating I worked in a mixed (small animal and equine) practice, completed a hospital internship at Rossdales and a residency in equine surgery at the University of Liverpool. Since then, I have worked as a surgeon in the UK, Malta, Saudi Arabia and currently at Ross University in St Kitts! My career has taken me to places I never imagined working in and I have met some wonderful colleagues along the way! I am really passionate about helping equine vets find their 'happy place' so that they can have fulfilling careers.

Fiona Georgetti

"I qualified from Edinburgh in 2001 and after a short stint working in the FMD outbreak, my first job was in a mixed practice in West Sussex, followed by a 3 year stint in mixed practice in New Zealand. On my return to the UK I changed to Equine Practice in the Warwickshire/ Worcestershire Area and this is still my current role. My husband Mark is also an Equine vet in a busy referral practice with a demanding on call rota. I now work part time, due to having two children who are now aged 10 and 13, and I enjoy and look forward to my work days. The early years were challenging trying to juggle childcare with work, now the biggest pressure comes from trying to keep up with the children’s after school activities and ponies, which we just about manage! I try really hard to make time for myself to keep fit, and I enter a few triathlons each year to keep me motivated. I enjoy all of the disciplines, and the rest of the family often join me for bike rides, runs or swims. I also compete my own horse when it fits in amongst the girls competition schedule!"

Gayle Capps

"My name is Gayle Capps, I live in Shropshire and I’ve been a vet now for 20 years. I have always worked as a first opinion ambulatory vet, initially in mixed practice, but latterly solely equine (part time). I love being a vet and love that no day is ever the same. Being involved in the BEVA coaching scheme has been my way of giving something back, as well as learning new skills which I hope to be able to pass onto newer members of the profession so that they can enjoy the challenges of being a vet."

Graham Duncanson

"My daughter is a vet and this is me ten days ago on her wedding day. I have been a vet for 53 years and still find the work and the profession fascinating. I’m particularly interested in the professional development of younger colleagues and run the young vets network in the Eastern Counties."

Helen Bickerton

I graduated from Bristol in 2008 and initially undertook an internship in Newmarket before working in ambulatory first opinion practice in East Anglia, the South East and most recently Lambourn. I particularly enjoy lameness and vettings and have a certificate in orthopaedic surgery, although my caseload is wide and varied. As a clinical director I also have management responsibilities within the practice. I love being an equine vet and I am lucky to have had some fantastic mentors. I became a leg up coach in order to help support the next generation of equine vets. I hope that I have the enthusiasm and experience to inspire them to reach their full potential in this fantastic career.

Hilary Bruce-Payne

Hilary graduated from Edinburgh and has a broad equine experience from over 20 years working in the UK and overseas, including initially mixed and then equine practice ; working in varied environments from smaller teams to large hospital practices. Hilary works in clinical equine practice and has a passion for equine performance medicine, having worked with all types of horses from racehorses to show jumpers, dressage horses to riding ponies and trotters. Curious to find new techniques to treat and assess sources of pain and further understand abnormal biomechanics , she pursued 3 years of post-graduate training in the UK (IAVC) and the U.S. (CVA) and completed a GDL in Law in 2020. Hilary particularly enjoys all types of poor performance and lameness, PPE exams and acupuncture cases. Hilary joined The George Equine team in Malmesbury as a Clinical Director, and as part of the team helps deliver the University of Surrey undergraduate programme and hopes to continue to attract new vets into the profession and to help them feel fulfilled with their professional career, wherever that may take them. She has undergone VDS Training Group coaching, and recently RCVS MMI Mental First Aid Champion training and XSector Mentor workshops. Outside of work she enjoys outdoor swimming, cycling, going to live gigs and comedy, and watching her children on various hockey and rugby pitches!

Katie Kershaw

"I qualified from Bristol in 2012 after growing up in Norfolk. I joined my current practice in Suffolk a couple of months after I qualified and have been there since. I’ve just finished my CertAVP through Liverpool and enjoy working in first opinion practice. Outside of work I love dog walking, photography and snow sports."

Kirsty Barron

"I qualified in 2010 from the University of Edinburgh with endless enthusiasm and I seem to have managed to hold on to that thus far. I completed an equine internship at the Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital and then went on to work as an equine locum vet in various practices before settling in my current practice in Essex. I was keen to join the coaching programme being initiated by BEVA as I believe I have had many un-official career coaches since graduation and they have helped me a lot along the way. I am keen to nurture new graduates enthusiasm and positivity and if this initiative can help in anyway, then I am looking forward to being a part of it."

Mark Georgetti

Mark Georgetti hails from New Zealand. He is a partner at Three Counties Equine Hospital where he has worked since 2005. His clinical interests are orthopaedics, imaging and surgery, with a bit of reproduction on the side. While acknowledging the profession is undergoing significant structural change at present Mark remains enthusiastic about the future of equine clinicians, and their being able to enjoy the fun, diverse and rewarding role that they have previously. Mark has benefited from the advice and assistance of many fellow vets over the years and is excited about the opportunity to support others through the Leg Up initiative.

Mark Stroyd

I graduated from the RVC in 2020 as a mature student, before starting as a first opinion equine ambulatory vet. I carried out this role for two years across Buckinghamshire and Warwickshire before joining the University of Nottingham as a teaching clinician. I now teach all year groups as well as working in associate practices. Starting out as a young vet during Covid posed a lot of challenges and at times, I feel that my levels of support were negatively affected. I aim to work with recent graduates to provide that level of support which I wish I’d had in the early years. I look forward to working with our new graduates under this wonderful initiative

Rosina Lilywhite

As an equine veterinary nurse with two decades of hands-on experience, my journey has been filled with many highs and lows, as well as dedication, compassion, and commitment to the well-being of horses. Throughout my career, I've developed a deep understanding of equine health, behaviour, and the intricate bond between horses and humans. While my role as a veterinary nurse has allowed me to impact the lives of countless equine patients directly, I've found that my passion extends beyond the confines of traditional veterinary medicine. It is rooted in a desire to empower others and facilitate growth in the equine veterinary community. This is why I have trained to be a coach in the leg-up coaching scheme. This role allows me to help others through mentorship to inspire and guide fellow professionals in their journeys. Through coaching, I envision sharing my knowledge and insights and cultivating a supportive and nurturing environment where individuals can flourish and achieve their goals. My years of experience have equipped me with the empathy, patience, and communication skills necessary to connect with clients on a profound level, fostering trust and confidence every step of the way. Ultimately, my aspiration to become a coach stems from a genuine desire to give back to the veterinary community that has shaped me and continue positively impacting my life.

Sarah Smith

"I graduated from Cambridge in 2010 and since then have work in various equine hospitals and ambulatory practices in the UK including undertaking an internship and medicine residency. I now work as a medicine clinician in a university teaching hospital which involves me in both official and unofficial mentoring of younger vets. I think that the BEVA Leg-up programme is a great initiative and I am keen to pay back the debt I owe the profession for the great support I have had thus far in my career. The wonderful training that we 'coaches' have had, combined with nearly 10 years so far as an equine vet make me excited to work with recent graduates to help with the transition to the equine vet work place."

Victoria Tannahill

"I started my career in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and spent time treating military animals around the world. The work and lifestyle was great but I always had a desire to do more intensive clinical work and so, after undertaking an internship, ambulatory work, and a residency, I now work as an equine surgeon. I have finally found my niche however there have been plenty of 'bumps in the road' to get here and I know how daunting it can be to make 'big' career choices. The Leg-Up initiative is a good opportunity for young vets to engage with their career and the challenges it can present in order to benefit themselves, as well as our profession as a whole."

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