Professor Christopher Loughrey, Head of the School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow and Professor Lisa Boden, Head of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Dean of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, have been appointed as the first ever Vice-Chairs of the Veterinary Schools Council (VSC).
The appointment of Professors Loughrey and Boden to these newly created leadership roles represents a significant milestone in VSC’s history and comes in response to its recently expanded membership and continued determination to grasp both the challenges and the opportunities facing veterinary schools. They will take up their positions on 1st August and will serve alongside Professor Stuart Reid CBE, President & Principal of the Royal Veterinary College, who has been reappointed as Chair until 2027. Together, they form an experienced and talented leadership team that will work with and on behalf of the Council to shape policy, share best practice and contribute its expertise to veterinary education and research, both nationally and internationally.
In response, Professor Boden said:
I am delighted that Professor Loughrey and I are to work together as Vice-Chairs of the Veterinary Schools Council, bringing a combined, broad perspective to advance the veterinary education sector in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands. I look forward to collaborating with Chris and Stuart to ensure the Council brings its influence to bear on important matters for the veterinary profession and to wider society.”
…and Professor Loughrey said:
We are privileged to work as Vice-Chairs of the Veterinary Schools Council for the next two years and would like to thank Professor Stuart Reid for his continued and transformational leadership and formidable support of the Council. As Vice-Chairs, we bring a broad range of complementary experiences, knowledge of the profession, and a strong signal that fostering cross-institutional cooperation lies at the heart of what VSC contributes to the veterinary profession.”
Welcoming Professors Boden and Loughrey to their new positions, Professor Reid commented:
I am absolutely delighted to be working with Lisa and Chris and our excellent secretariat as the Veterinary Schools Council seeks to address the challenges our sector faces. The evolution of VSC and the maturing of our voice will be greatly bolstered by the remodelled leadership team ensuring greater focus and strengthened commitment to our several stakeholders.”
