RCVS Fellowship elects new Vice-Chair and board members to enhance the learned society

RCVS Fellows have elected three new members of the Fellowship Board, which governs the Fellowship in its mission to promote scientific excellence, further professional skills and practice, and enrich public discourse on the importance of veterinary science.

During October, RCVS Fellows were asked to vote to approve the election of individuals to three positions – Vice-Chair of the Fellowship Board, Chair of the Credentials Panel for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession and Chair of the Credentials Panel for Meritorious Contributions to Knowledge.

Dr Niall Connell FRCVS (pictured) was elected as Vice-Chair, a role that involves helping the Chair to deliver the goals of the Fellowship Strategy, working with other Board members to promote the Fellowship to the professions and public, and helping to encourage greater diversity within the Fellowship.

Speaking of his election Niall said: “I'm delighted to be part of the Fellowship Board team. I'm very much looking forward to doing my best to work with Chris our chair, the board, and the Fellowship for the benefit and advancement of our professions.”

Chairs of the Credential Panels are responsible for reviewing applications to join the Fellowship under the three different routes to entry and making recommendations on these applications to the Fellowship Board. Professor Richard Piercy was elected as Chair of the panel which assesses contributions to knowledge, while Andrew Robinson FRCVS was re-elected as Chair of the panel assessing contributions to the profession.

Professor Piercy said: “I am very pleased to have been elected to this position and look forward to continuing the excellent work of my predecessor, Professor Robin Franklin. Awarding Fellowship to those members of our profession who contribute through their research and other scholarly activities provides depth, skills and expertise to the RCVS for the benefit of us all: I am delighted to know that I will be chairing the committee that oversees this important process.”

Andrew Robinson added: “I am delighted that members of the Fellowship gave me their support in order that I could serve on the Fellowship Board for another three years. During my time on the Board there has been a steady evolvement and improvement in the awarding of Fellows and the communication within RCVS. I look forward to continuing as Chair of MCP working with my fellow assessors and other members of the Board.”

All three will formally be welcomed to their three-year terms on the Fellowship Board by its Chair Dr Chris Tufnell FRCVS at this year’s Fellowship Day, which takes place at One Great George Street, Westminster on Monday 27 November.

Chris (pictured) said: “I’m delighted that Niall and Richard are joining us on the Fellowship Board. We will hugely benefit from Niall’s exceptional experience, and I look forward to working closely with him again. I’m pleased that Richard will be heading up the Meritorious Contributions to Knowledge Credentials Panel and I know that he will take on the baton brilliantly. Finally, we’re very happy that we’ll continue to benefit from Andrew’s wisdom leading the Meritorious Contributions to the Profession Panel. I congratulate all three of them on their election and look forward to welcoming them at Fellowship Day.”

Further information about the Fellowship Day, including details of this year’s guest speaker Professor Dame Sally Davies, former UK Chief Medical officer and campaigner on antimicrobial resistance, can be found on its dedicated Eventbrite page. 

Although places at the Fellowship Day are sold out, recordings of the speeches, presentations and panel discussions will be made available after the event.