Top three candidates will take up their seats in July
The RCVS has announced the results of its 2018 Council election.
Susan Paterson, Mandisa Greene and Neil Smith received the most votes and will take up their posts at RCVS Day in July.
“I would like to thank all the candidates who stood for Council this year and would like to, in particular, congratulate Susan, Mandisa and Neil for being re-elected to RCVS Council,” said RCVS registrar and returning officer for the election Eleanor Ferguson.
This year is an unusual year for RCVS Council, as a Legislative Reform Order (LRO) that amends the College’s governance is expected to be signed off and brought into law. This will alter the makeup of Council, with greater input from veterinary nursing, and will also reduce the overall size of Council.
“Because of this, only the first three – as opposed to the first six under previous rules – candidates are likely to be taking up a four-year term at RCVS Day 2018," said Eleanor. "Our commiserations go out to all the unsuccessful candidates, especially in this unusual transitional year, and we thank them for their participation in this year’s election.”
Some 6,967 vets turned out to vote in the elections this year from a total of 30,693. All veterinary surgeons who were eligible to vote were sent a postal ballot and election booklet.
In order of number of votes, the results are:
Susan Paterson – 3,976 votes
Mandisa Greene - 3,819 votes
Neil Smith – 3,544 votes
John Innes – 3,502 votes
David Catlow – 3,310 votes
Matthew Plumtree – 2,677 votes
Iain Richards – 2,635 votes
Karlien Heyrman – 2,487 votes
John Davies – 580 votes
Thomas Lonsdale – 542 votes
The results of the election will be announced formally at RCVS Day - the College’s Annual General Meeting and Awards Ceremony, on Friday, 13 July.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
