Dr Tshidi Gardiner

BSc BVSc PGCertSAS MRCVS

Candidate 4 of 20

Proposers: Dr Olivia Anderson-Nathan, Dr Gordon Johnston

Contact details

Address Ottery St Mary, Devon

E [email protected]

W https://www.drtshidigardiner.com

Candidate biography

I qualified from Onderstepoort, University of Pretoria, in 2003. My career has taken me from equine charity work to mixed practice and locuming before becoming a partner in a small animal practice in 2014. I hold a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and am passionate about training students, mentoring new graduates, and supporting veterinary nurses. As a result of experiencing burnout and mental health challenges, I became a certified Veterinary Wellness Coach & MHFA. I now create bespoke well-being and leadership training for veterinary communities with Gardiner Coaching and provide EDI training as a director of Affinity Futures.

Locuming allows me to visit practices across the country, gaining valuable insights and supporting teams to enhance their workplace culture and experience of the profession. Serving on the RCVS Council has significantly broadened my leadership journey and deepened my understanding of the challenges and opportunities within our veterinary profession, extending beyond small animal practice.

I was honoured to receive the Bartram Wellbeing Award (2022) and the Veterinary Leadership and Management Award in recognition of my work advocating for mental health and wellbeing.

I enjoy walks with my husband, and behaviourally-challenged rescue dog. My weekends consumed with football & rugby mum duties.

Candidate statement 

Why do you want to stand to be a member of RCVS Council?

I am passionate about driving meaningful change within the veterinary profession, ensuring it evolves to meet the needs of our diverse and dynamic community. My experience on Council from 2021 to 2025 has broadened my understanding of the challenges faced across all areas of veterinary medicine, and I am committed to continuing to foster innovation, inclusivity, and wellbeing.

The veterinary community is navigating significant challenges, including the ongoing CMA investigation, governance reforms, and the creation of a new Veterinary Surgeons Act. Additionally, projects such as the Hardwick Street Refurbishment and RCVS website redevelopment require dedicated oversight. I want to ensure we deliver on these promises while maintaining public trust in our profession.

As a longstanding advocate for mental health and workplace culture, I am also committed to overseeing the progress of EDI initiatives within the RCVS, ensuring they reflect and support all members of our veterinary community as we enter this next phase.

What do you think you can bring to RCVS Council?

I bring over 20 years of clinical experience and a proven track record of leadership, governance, and advocacy within the veterinary profession. As a working mother, I empathize with the demands faced by many in the profession, balancing personal and professional responsibilities. Having worked in mixed practice, small animal practice, and as an Official Veterinarian (OV), I have gained a broad understanding of the challenges faced across the profession. I appreciate the pressures Brexit and dealing with exports have placed on colleagues and understand the importance of vigilance against disease outbreaks.

My roles on committees, sub-committees, and work groups including as an Officer and Chair of Diversity and Inclusion Group demonstrate my dedication. As Treasurer, I bring financial literacy, strong ethical conduct, and the ability to critically evaluate complex information. I am not afraid to challenge decisions constructively at the executive level, and my effective communication skills allow me to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders.

I will support the veterinary community to meet the needs of animal health and welfare. Ensuring the profession remains accountable, resilient, and forward-thinking while continuing to deliver on the promises we have made to our colleagues, stakeholders, and the public.

What relevant experience do you have?

I have served on RCVS Council since 2021, which has given me a deep understanding of the intricacies of our dual functions as a regulator and a royal college. As a regulator, we are charged with setting appropriate standards for veterinary education, maintaining the Register, and regulating professional conduct with compassion. Our royal college function involves promoting, encouraging, and advancing the study and practice of veterinary medicine, while supporting the veterinary community to meet the needs of animal health and welfare. I fully appreciate the importance of upholding these responsibilities, regardless of personal passions or interests, to maintain public trust in our profession.

I chair RCVS Finance and Resources Committee, DIG and actively contribute to 16 other committees and working groups. I have represented the College in various capacities, from speaking to school children and first-year veterinary students to participating in joint Officer meetings with other professional leaders.

My governance experience outside RCVS includes serving as a trustee on Vets in Mind, observer on RCVS Knowledge, IVC Ethnic Diversity Scholarship Board member and the BSAVA Awards Committee.

This breadth of experience ensures I bring a well-rounded, informed perspective to Council, enabling me to meet governance requirements with diligence and integrity.

Is there anything else you would like to add in support of your candidacy?

As an RCVS Council candidate, I am closely following evolving discussions across the Atlantic. However, I assure my colleagues that just because America sneezes, we will not catch their cold. Here in the UK, we can shape our profession with intention, ensuring inclusivity, fairness, and growth for all. As a Council member, I will remain impartial as I do not represent any single group, however, I will ensure diverse perspectives are always heard and considered.

If we have met, you know my passion for wellbeing, burnout prevention, and addressing mental health challenges. Over the past four years, I have worked with students, university teams, and associations that form the heart of our community. I will champion progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering workplaces where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. I am committed to continuing to create safe, inclusive spaces for our profession to thrive.

A healthier workforce with positive wellbeing is essential to delivering better animal welfare and sustaining public trust. This interconnected approach supports not only veterinary professionals but also the animals, food safety, and people we serve, ensuring the profession continues to thrive and meet the needs of society.