In order to make sure that our service offering is aligned with the needs of the marketplace, we are reliant on the guidance provided by our Vetsure Steering Committee – nobody understands the challenges and opportunities at the ‘coal-face’ better than our members!
The Vetsure Steering Committee are available whenever Vetsure needs guidance on an emerging issue. We meet regularly to touch base, share knowledge and plan the future direction of the group. It’s through this group that fantastic Vetsure initiatives like our Graduate Friendly Practice programme and Vetsure Direct delivery service emerged.
We have two committees, one for small animal, and one for equine and farm. They’re made up of vets, senior nurses and practice managers, all of whom are shareholders within thriving independent veterinary practices. The committee advise Vetsure on all things buying group, insurance and health plans. They help us keep our finger on the pulse of the ever changing veterinary scene and we’re very grateful for their input!
Having qualified from The Royal Veterinary College, London, in 2001, Julie spent 10 years in a busy first opinion veterinary practice in the West Midlands. After moving back home to Oxfordshire, in 2016 Julie started putting into action her dream of owning her own independent practice and opened up Hilltop Vets, just outside Oxford, shortly after.
After working for some time in referral and emergency veterinary clinics in central London, Stewart started his own practice that grew into the Petcare Group in West London. Stewart is director of Stem Cell Vet, a referral practice treating dogs with arthritis with regenerative medicine based in Somerset. Stewart is also a previous director of the London Veterinary Forum, which represented and advised some 250 veterinary surgeries in many aspects of Practice.
Simon Tai qualified from Bristol university in 1992. After working mostly in London, he relocated to City Road veterinary centre in Truro, Cornwall in 2007. He became a director shortly after and has maintained this practice as the longest established independent veterinary clinic in Cornwall. He also is an RCVS certificate holder and advanced practitioner in small animal dermatology.
Steve joined Priory Vets in 1989 and became a partner in 1991, combining Equine and Farm animal work with Companion Animals up until 2007, since concentrating on Dogs and Cats. He has a specialist Certificate in Veterinary Anaesthesia, and is particularly interested in pain relief, lameness, rehabilitation after injury and also in diagnostic ultrasound scanning and cardiology. In 2014 Steve became the sole owner of Priory Vets thus protecting its continuing independence and its focus on personalised and responsive yet modern veterinary care in the local community.
Brendan graduated from Cambridge in 2009 and has worked in large animal practices in the south of England since that time. He joined Evolution Farm Vets in Somerset in January 2012 and became a partner later that year. Brendan likes accuracy, attention to detail and complicated Excel formulae, leading him towards bespoke dairy data handling and company financial responsibility. Brendan is pleased to serve the Vetsure large animal practices by taking a place on the Steering Committee. Evolution Farm Vets are proud to remain independent and recognise that to do so, we must collaborate with other independent, like-minded practices.
Shona is a Director of Donaldson’s Farm and Equine, a proudly independent practice in West Yorkshire. The business maintains close ties with Donaldson’s Vets which now concentrates solely on companion animals. Shona says “Being a member of Buysure helps both businesses to progress in a competitive market. Buysure do more than get us better medicine prices, they provide a community of like-minded smaller business owners helping each other thrive.”
Lindsay is a partner at Cheltenham Equine Vets, an independent first opinion ambulatory practice based in Cheltenham. Clinically she focusses on acupuncture in horses and dogs, and takes turn on the out of hours rota. Lindsay’s main role in Cheltenham Equine is as managing partner. Lindsay sorts all the background “stuff” – key parts of which are keeping the team happy and working well and ensuring they make good buying decisions with stock and equipment. Working with the team at Buysure has played a major part in this – Lindsay says “Feeling part of the process of working with pharmaceutical companies to get favourable prices is invaluable. Perhaps even more valuable is feeling part of a network of Buysure members and being able to share questions and concerns about all aspects of managing a practice.”
Gayle has worked in a variety of roles, from being a photographer to working in maritime anti-piracy, but found the job she loves most when she started as a Veterinary Practice Manager in 2017. Gayle set up Huckleberry Vets in 2021 with 2 friends after a corporate bought the practice that they worked at. The practice has been a huge success, with lots of support and help from the Vetsure team. Gayle lives with her Husband James and 2 children Alex & Charlotte as well as 3 chickens and 2 guinea pigs.
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