Michael Seals MBE has been appointed chairman of the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority.

Michael Seals MBE hopes to address future market needs.

Renowned livestock and arable farmer Michael Seals MBE has been appointed chairman of the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA).

Taking up his post on 1 March, Mr Seals succeeds the role from Phil Sketchley, who is retiring after 48 years in the animal health industry.

Mr Seals brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role from government, industry, and at a consumer level. In taking on the position, he hopes to address future market needs, including new technologies and enhanced opportunities for CPD.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Seals said: “The [animal health] sector is in a period of adjustment, including Defra, VMD and across the entire sector, and there are many opportunities for us to evolve and deliver on our appetite to drive change, meeting the demands of our RAMAs, their employees and the industry, as well as animal owners.

“As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, AMTRA has many strengths that it needs to harness and develop to help keep driving this change and to support the work, training opportunities and understanding of all AMTRA RAMAs across all species.”

Mr Seals was appointed to Defra as chair of the Animal Health & Welfare Board England in 2011 and led the development of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, which is to launch in 2022. 

He has also held leadership positions in various other roles, including the not-for-profit National Fallen Stock Company, and owns a showjumping team with breeding, training and livery facilities.

AMTRA secretary-general Stephen Dawson said of the appointment: “We’re excited to be working with Michael, taking a fresh look at our priorities and strategies, as Phil Sketchley steps down from the role after over 21 years’ service as a board member, the past seven years as Chair.”
 
Mr Seals will be supported by experienced veterinary surgeon John Blackwell, who was elected vice-chair at AMTRA’s December 2021 Board and Council meeting.

Image (C) AMTRA/Facebook.