"It's an incredible honour to have been elected junior vice president of the BVA Scottish Branch" - Arabella White. 

Government vet Arabella White will become president next year.

The BVA Scottish Branch has elected Arabella White as junior vice president for 2027/28.

Her appointment was announced following the BVA’s annual General Meeting at Saughton House, Edinburgh, on Thursday (4 July). She is set to succeed to the presidency of the membership body next year.

A double graduate in zoology and veterinary science, Arabella has worked with Food Standards Scotland since qualifying as a vet in 2020. She was a Certifying Officer, signing Export Health Certificates, and the team lead for Official Veterinarians and Meat Health Inspectors in the north of Scotland. Currently, she provides leadership to the national Field Operations team.

In addition to these roles, Arabella served as the BVA Scottish Branch's new graduate representative in 2022 and has spent the last three years representing the branch on the BVA Policy Committee.

She said: “It’s an incredible honour to have been elected junior vice president of the BVA Scottish Branch, and to champion and stand up for vets right across Scotland. There are many challenges, but also opportunities ahead, and I look forward to supporting my colleagues across the fantastic veterinary community to tackle these head on and continue to deliver the vital work vets do in upholding animal health and welfare, food safety and public health standards in Scotland.”

BVA President Dr Rob Williams MRCVS said: “Arabella joins BVA Scottish branch at a really important juncture for the whole profession, as we take the next steps following the outcome of the Competition and Markets Authority investigation, which will impact vet services far beyond just household pets. Her fresh approach and energy will be a welcome addition to the Scottish branch team as we tackle this and the other issues that matter most to our members across Scotland.”

The AGM also saw Midlothian vet Gareth Hateley announce his retirement and step down as senior vice president of the BVA Scottish Branch. A recognised expert in cattle disease surveillance, Gareth’s rich and varied 40-year career has spanned animal practice, veterinary pathology, disease surveillance and veterinary leadership.

Dr Williams added: “On behalf of everyone at BVA, I would also like to thank Gareth for his outstanding contributions to the Scottish Branch. From representing the profession at the Scottish Covid-19 inquiry and strengthening our engagement with key parliamentarians to providing expert advice to the Ruminant Health and Welfare Group in the battle against Bluetongue, Gareth’s knowledge and experience have been invaluable in championing the veterinary voice in Scotland to government, industry, farmers and our other partners.

"During his tenure as Branch President, we also secured animal welfare as a key objective in the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act. On behalf of the BVA team, I wish him all the very best for the future.”

Image (C) BVA.