Miles Russell, president of the Veterinary Management Group (VMG), has been elected to the House of Lords as a Crossbench hereditary peer on a platform to champion the animal health, veterinary and small business sectors.
Mr Miles Russell, who holds the title Baron de Clifford, was elected to sit in the House by existing members.
Only 90 seats are now available to hereditary peers and those who wish to join are elected by existing members of the Chamber.
In his election speech, Mr Miles Russell cited his experience and understanding of the sectors he aims to support, gained principally through his role as a director of The George Veterinary Group, a large independent, mixed veterinary practice in the South West; through time he spent on the BVA Council and on the Board of the VMG, including his current role as president.
The VMG promotes the development of learning and management skills across the veterinary sector.
He joins Alexander John Sandy Trees, Baron Trees, a professor of veterinary parasitology and a Crossbench member, in representing the animal health and veterinary sectors in the House of Lords.
During his husting speech, Miles Russell highlighted the importance of the animal health sector to the UK in terms of food safety, public health and the supply chain.
He also explained his passion for supporting business growth through training and development in areas including leadership and management. Training and support in these areas is offered by the VMG to the veterinary sector.
“Those of us working in the animal health and veterinary sectors are only too aware of the importance of the work we do and the challenges we face,” he explained. “I will use my platform in the House of Lords to increase understanding of our sectors and to promote positive change.
“I’m looking forward to helping scrutinise the forthcoming Animal Welfare single bill mentioned in the King’s Speech and I will also participate in the parliamentary review of the 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act and the current CMA review into the veterinary services market for household pets.”
Registration is now open for VMG Congress 2024, a two-day feast of collaborative learning and experience sharing for existing veterinary leaders, managers and those aspiring to lead. It takes place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Stratford on Avon on 25 to 26 April 2024.
The Congress website with full details of the programme and ticket pricing is available at their website.
The VMG is the professional association for all those in leadership and management roles in the veterinary sector. It empowers and equips veterinary leaders and their organisations to learn, share, and grow.