Published: 06 Jul 2021 | Last Updated: 06 Jul 2021 09:30:24

Professor Stuart Reid CBE, Principal of the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), has today been announced as the new Chair of the Veterinary Schools Council (VSC), representative body for veterinary schools in the UK, Ireland and Netherlands.

Consisting of nine UK members and two non-UK associate members, the VSC  provides a source of informed opinion on matters concerning veterinary education, from the welfare of students and academic researchers to links with government and industry.

Professor Reid has held the position of Principal at the RVC since 2011 and is a Recognised Specialist of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in veterinary epidemiology. He is also a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Public Health, of which he was the first elected president. He has served on numerous committees including the Scottish Science Advisory Committee and the Veterinary Products Committee and has been a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh since 2001. He was awarded a CBE in 2018 and elected to the National Academy of Medicine in the USA in 2019.

In addition to serving as President of the RCVS  in 2014-2015, Professor Reid has chaired the European Committee on Veterinary Education and was Honorary Secretary to the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. He now succeeds Professor Susan Dawson as Chair of the VSC.

Stuart will now lead the Council in its mission to shape policy, share best practice and contribute its expertise to the national and global discourses on veterinary education and research.

Of his new role, Professor Stuart Reid said:

“I am honoured to chair the Veterinary Schools Council for the next three years and would like to thank Professor Susan Dawson for her tireless work in leading and guiding the Council throughout her tenure, and particularly through the pandemic.

“As a member of Council for many years I can attest to the importance of collaboration between veterinary schools in addressing shared issues including Covid-19, Brexit and One Health. I firmly believe that together we are stronger, and intend to do all I can to ensure that UK veterinary schools remain world leading at this time of great change.”

Professor Susan Dawson, immediate past Chair of the Veterinary Schools Council, said:

“Stuart is an experienced leader who is widely respected across the veterinary profession. His experience spanning veterinary education and research will be invaluable as he leads the Veterinary Schools Council and I congratulate him on his new role.”

Notes to Editors