Veterinary surgeons can now cast votes for their preferred candidates in this year’s RCVS Council election. Veterinary surgeons can now cast votes for their preferred candidates in this year’s RCVS Council election. 
Ballot papers with candidate details, biographies and manifestos were posted to all MsRCVS this week.
In total there are 11 candidates in this year’s RCVS Council elections, with the six who receive the most votes joining Council in July for a four-year term. The candidates are: 
  • Dr Niall Connell MRCVS
  • Dr Joanna Dyer MRCVS
  • Dr Professor Tim Greet FRCVS
  • Dr Lynne Hill MRCVS
  • Dr Richard Hillman MRCVS
  • Dr Heidi Janicke MRCVS
  • Dr Hannah Jordan MRCVS
  • Dr R.M.B. (aka Thomas) Lonsdale MRCVS
  • Dr James Main MRCVS
  • Dr Katherine Richards MRCVS
  • Dr Peter Robinson MRCVS 
For this year’s ‘Quiz the candidates’, all 14 candidates have been asked to submit a short video in which they answer two questions, chosen by them, posed by members of the profession.
The video statements from RCVS Council candidates, together with the biographies and manifestos, can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/vetvote15.
Gordon Hockey, RCVS Registrar, said: “This is the first year that we have had video statements from candidates so please do take a look at them as it's important, before casting a vote, to have an idea of the candidates and their priorities, if elected. My thanks to all those who submitted questions.
“I would urge both vets and veterinary nurses to participate in this year’s elections, because it really can make a difference. Decisions made at RCVS Council can have a real impact on all vets – the recent decision to allow the use of ‘Dr’ as a courtesy title being a case in point, along with current ongoing discussions about potential further governance reform.
Votes must be cast by 5pm on Friday, 24 April. Those eligible to vote can either fill in the ballot paper and return it by post, or vote online. To vote online, veterinary surgeons should use the security codes and instructions printed on their ballot papers.
Any veterinary surgeon who has not received a ballot paper should contact Ian Holloway, RCVS Communications Manager, on 020 7202 0727 / i.holloway@rcvs.org.uk.