Council elections

RCVS Council comprises 24 members, each of them serving for a 4-year term of office. Six are appointed lay members, two are appointed veterinary nurse members, three are appointed by the Veterinary Schools Council to represent the overall number of RCVS-accredited veterinary schools, and 13 by direct election, held annually.

In May 2018, a Legislative Reform Order amending the governance arrangements of the RCVS received ministerial approval. This amendment made a number of changes to the composition of RCVS Council, including a reduction in the number of elected places available on Council from 24 to 13 over a staged transition.

Council members are also now only able to serve a total of 3 consecutive 4-year terms and will need to take a 2-year break between before standing for Council again.

RCVS Council election 2025 - candidate nomination period open

Veterinary surgeons who wish to stand as a prospective Council member in the spring 2025 election to RCVS Council may now put themselves forward as candidates. 

Those who wish to stand as an election candidate have until 5pm on Friday 31 January 2025 to put themselves forward. 

A candidate information pack containing the details of what being an RCVS Council member entails and guidance for prospective candidates, as well as the nomination and candidate information forms, can be downloaded from our Publications page. 

For further information about RCVS Council and its elections, please contact Dawn Wiggins, Secretary to RCVS Council, on [email protected] 

View results of previous elections