Find your coach

Through the Leg Up scheme you will be matched to one of our fully trained coaches allowing you to share and discuss your professional development and the transition into working life as an equine practitioner. Our coaches are all experienced equine vets who have been in your shoes before and can help provide an impartial perspective.

The matching process

Our Coaches

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. 

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.

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.

Aoife Bryne

View Aoife's video

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.

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

View Graham's video

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.

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!

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

geoff walsh

My veterinary journey started with mixed practice, first in Hampshire, then in Gloucestershire. In returning to Ireland, a further stint in mixed practice and at an equine referral hospital ensued, before setting up my own full time equine practice. Over the past 20 years, I've been pursuing a 'work to live' approach to clinical practice and continue to search for the perfect balance! I was fortunate enough to have had much help from more experienced colleagues along the way. This initiative represents an opportunity for me to do my part in helping younger colleagues on their career journey. I'm looking forward to it!

Steve Wildman

I am an Australian graduate, solely equine general  practitioner of over 30 years, 23 of those in the UK.  I have had the mixed blessing of working for different practices with varying support levels.  It has not always been plain sailing.  Looking back on my experiences I can spot the time I ‘blossomed’ as an equine practitioner in one particular practice that provided, subliminally, unwavering support.  I am young enough to realise how vitally important that kind of guidance is and how that has provided me with the solid foundation and confidence I feel I have today.  We must maintain focus on resilience, confidence and colleague support for those working in a rapidly changing and increasingly ‘exposed’ profession.

What to expect from coaching

The BEVA Leg Up scheme is a pilot scheme to see if offering an initiative like this will help support those entering equine practice. Those looking to be coached will be matched with a coach who will discuss and work with them on areas of importance to the coachee such as training and development, career progression and self-care. 

Once matched with a coach you will arrange virtual meetings to have coaching conversations. These conversations will be focused on professional development and transitions and are intended to be positive, developmental and solutions-focused. If you feel you need further support outside of the areas our coaches are able to help with, they may direct you to other external services and providers. 

Your coach will arrange with you when and how you meet but it may be over the phone or via Skype.