Meet the Postgraduate Deans

PDP Deans play a valuable role in guiding recently graduated veterinary surgeons through their first few years in practice. 

They help graduates during the Professional Development Phase (PDP), a period of structured learning and development to help the transition between student and practice life. 

A Postgraduate Dean is allocated to each graduate when they register to use our PDP system. They are then responsible for monitoring progress and are the main point of contact for assistance. Read more about each of our Postgraduate Deans below...

Mary de Las Casas

Having graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2003, Mary has worked as a mixed animal veterinary surgeon both in the UK and New Zealand. Until recently she has been in practice at Chapelfield Vets in Norfolk.

She is currently working in small animal general practice in Norfolk. 

Jill Hubbard

Jill qualified from the RVC in 1975 and went to work in Caernarfon. The practice was a bit James Herriot and they worked in the basement of a big Georgian house, where Jill lived in a flat. Mostly large animal, but she already had a particular interest in ophthalmology, and managed to pass an exam to become part of the BVA eye panel. They moved the practice to the house next door, and then 20 years ago moved to a purpose built practice.

Although they sold the practice in 2014, she is still working part time, and continues to spend some time doing the BVA eye tests for breeding dogs.

Jill was involved in the BVA young graduate support groups from the beginning 10 years ago.

Nicky Paull

Nicky qualified from the University of Liverpool in 1979 and went to work in a small mixed practice in Cornwall. She is now senior director in the same practice that has grown to become a large independent practice with over 30 vets. It has a farm and equine department and a multi-site small animal department.

Nicky has been an RCVS PDP Dean since 2011. She has been President of SPVS and of the British Veterinary Association. She spent a few years as a Trustee of Vetlife (VBF). She sits on the Board of the Veterinary Defence Society and has recently taken on the role as Chairman.

Julian Wells

Julian graduated in 1974 from the University of Liverpool before entering mixed practice in the Midlands. There followed a four-year period of small animal practice in Durban, South Africa after which Julian set up the first purely small animal practice west of the black country conurbation, in Shrewsbury.

Twenty five years later Julian joined the Veterinary Defence Society, where he still works.

The post of PDP Dean keeps him in contact with young graduates and is very rewarding. Julian's only regret is that almost a decade into the application of the PDP, he still comes across young graduates receiving little or no support in the early months of their careers.