Ami, clinical director at Westpoint Farm Vets in Chelmsford, also hopes her appointment will encourage other large animal and ambulatory vets to join the organisation.
Since joining SPVS in 2020, Ami has developed her leadership skills with the support of the organisation, and has also been welcomed to the RCVS Fellowship, a learned society which promotes scientific excellence, furthers professional skills and practice, and acts as a trusted and authoritative voice within the veterinary profession.
The first RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Camelid Practice, Ami sits on the farm executive at VetPartners, the larger veterinary group which owns Westpoint Farm Vets.
After becoming SPVS president, Ami said: “I want to continue the good work we have been doing representing the needs and best interests of members and the wider profession. I would also like to highlight that membership of SPVS isn’t just for vets or people who are already managers as we want to encourage people who want to learn about leadership.
“We want to support people to develop skills that aren’t necessarily learnt at vet school or are not readily available to people in practice leadership or management. Being part of SPVS means you can join a cohort of people to bounce ideas off each other and gain new skills through CPD. I also want to emphasise the importance of collaboration and being part of a community that provides support systems you can lean on.
Ami also wants to provide representation for large animal and ambulatory vets, who face unique challenges in their respective sectors, while keeping up with the needs of all practitioners and members of the profession.
“I want to encourage people to show their potential and be guided through the SPVS leadership journey, so they feel fulfilled in their career and ensure their business is sustainable,” she said.
“Ambulatory practitioners have particular needs, as they cater not only to companion animal owners, but have to foster business relationships with commercial farm clients. These diverse needs require different and ever evolving business strategies and dynamic communication styles.
“The other challenge they face is that they are becoming few and far between because of the impact of financial pressure on farms.
“We have to future proof practices and evolve what it means to be a vet beyond just being able to provide a clinical fix and preventative healthcare. Client needs are changing, and we also need to keep abreast of government initiatives, farm assurance schemes and the business side while also dealing with our own retention and recruitment pressures.”
A 2011 Liverpool University graduate, Ami has enjoyed a varied career in farm practice.
As a SPVS-RCVS Mind Matters Wellbeing Award winner, she has encouraged Westpoint Farm Vets to focus on veterinary wellbeing and a positive, inclusive culture.
She sits on the British Veterinary LGBTQ+ Committee, The Society of Practicing Veterinary Surgeons and the British Veterinary Camelid Society Boards. She is the current SPVS Junior Vice President. Ami was awarded the first UK Bright Minds Practice Game Changer Award in 2023 for her dedication to improving practice culture and efforts to make farm practice more attractive, welcoming and inclusive for future farm vets.
After holding the role of junior vice-president in 2024, she became SPVS president in February.
