"I care passionately about our profession, I know from my own experience what life is like for vets in farm practice, industry, veterinary public health and government."

An interview with RCVS Council member, Dr Kate Richards.

In the third and final interview with the new and re-elected RCVS Council members, we speak to Dr Kate Richards about what she hopes to achieve in the forthcoming term.

A graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Dr Richards has 15 years' experience in farm animal practice. In 2003, she joined Defra as a farm animal welfare veterinary advisor and has since held leadership roles in the Ministry of Justice, the Cabinet Office, HMRC and Scotland Office.

As a STEM ambassador, Dr Richards is involved in increasing awareness of veterinary medicine in schools. She was first elected to RCVS Council in 2006.

Why did you decide to stand for (re) election?

First of all, I am delighted to be elected and would like to thank everyone who voted for me! I consider it a great honour and take the responsibility seriously. I care passionately about our profession, I know from my own experiences what life is like for vets in farm practice, industry, veterinary public health and government and want to bring that knowledge and insight to Council, making sure that these different perspectives are considered in the debates.

What are you hoping to achieve during your time on Council?

I’d like to add my voice to the scrutiny of the reviews of ‘Under Care’ and ‘Standard of Proof’ as I know these issues are causing great concern and anxiety within the profession. The profession is under immense pressure at the moment in its response to COVID-19 and I’d like to play my part in supporting its recovery in whatever the new normal will look like. No one can predict what this will look like, as reflected in this quote: ‘We’re building this ship while we’re sailing it.’

What changes would you like to see within the College and the wider profession?

I think the RCVS has made great strides in engaging with the profession in recent years and would like to increase and deepen this interaction. I’d like to see those veterinary roles which did not have a high profile, such as those working in veterinary public health whose importance has been highlighted due to COVID-19, be better valued and given more prominence.

Where do you see the veterinary profession a decade from now?

The impact of COVID-19 will be felt for years to come, and I think the pandemic will accelerate the direction and pace of change. I wouldn’t like to predict what the profession will look like in a decade, suffice to say that technology will underpin it.

What do you feel the College can do to help better support its members?

Be open and transparent, and consult on the way forward.