Dr Michael Hewetson BSc(Hons)Ag BVSc PhD FHEA DiplECEIM MRCVS graduated from Onderstepoort, South Africa in 1999. He spent time in private equine practice in the UK before completing a Senior Clinical Training Scholarship in equine internal medicine, critical care and anaesthesia at the University of Glasgow. He is a registered RCVS specialist in equine internal medicine and is a diplomate of the European College of equine internal medicine. He has a PhD in equine gastroduodenal permeability studies and has an active research interest in equine gastric ulcer syndrome. He currently works as a clinical educator at the Royal Veterinary College in London, where he an associate professor in equine internal medicine.

Dr Karen Hiestand PhD, BVSc, BSc, MSc, MA, PGCert, FHEA, Dip ECAWBM (AWSEL), MRCVS   European and RCVS Veterinary Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics & Law Karen is a Lecturer in Veterinary and Animal Ethics at the Royal Veterinary College and a European and RCVS Specialist in Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law (MRCVS). Originally qualifying as a veterinarian from Massey University, New Zealand, her career spans clinical practice and interdisciplinary scholarship. With degrees in animal welfare, psychology, and medical ethics and law, her PhD examined animal empathy and human-companion animal relationships. Her research focuses on ethical decision-making in veterinary practice, the veterinary-client-patient relationship, autonomy and responsibility in companion animal care, and the moral dimensions of human-animal bonds. She also serves in advisory and leadership roles within animal welfare and professional bodies, contributing to the development of ethical standards and policy within the sector.

Kassie Hill FdSc RVN REVN E-SQP Kassie Hill is an experienced equine nursing professional and Nursing Team Leader at Cliffe Equine Hospital, a position she has held since 2022. She completed her FdSc in Veterinary Nursing in 2011, followed by an Equine Nursing top-up qualification in 2013. In 2016, Kassie gained her SQP status, further expanding her clinical expertise and professional scope. With over a decade of experience as a Clinical Coach, Kassie is passionate about mentoring and developing the next generation of equine nurses. Her key interests include wound care, ambulatory nursing, and advancing the equine nursing profession. She is dedicated to empowering nurses, promoting high clinical standards, and driving continuous improvement in patient care.

Jenny Hindmarsh BSc (Hons), BVSc, PGDip, AFHEA, MRCVS After completing an equine internship and working in first-opinion ambulatory practice, Jenny now teaches at Bristol Vet School across the BVSc and AGEP vet courses, as well as the Vet Nursing and Companion Animal Behaviour degree. With a strong enthusiasm for equine behaviour and welfare, she has introduced new theory and practical teaching in these areas within the veterinary curriculum and developed a teaching horse welfare flowchart for practical sessions. In her spare time, she runs an equine behaviour modification business and is working towards certification as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist. As a BEVA council member, she sits on the Ethics & Welfare and Education committees, alongside her role on the University of Bristol Teaching Animal Welfare Committee.

Paul Horwood BVetMed MBA DBR MRCVS Paul qualified as a Veterinary Surgeon in 2000, and after an internship, joined Westpoint Farm Vets, becoming partner, owner and director along the way. In 2015, the business was sold to Private Equity, and Paul remained as Managing Director of the farm animal side of the business until 2017. Paul then diversified away from clinical practice and set up a global leadership training and development company, Sandstone Communications, together with some other interesting people he had met along the way, from global business leaders, Olympians, Fighter pilots and elite military operators. Paul returned to the Veterinary Sector in 2021, joining IVC Evidensia, and is currently Country Head of Farm, leading the company's Farm Division of 300 farm vets across the UK. Paul has a Diploma in Bovine Reproduction from Liverpool University and an MBA from The Open University. He is a Non-Exec on the board of the BVA and is trustee and treasurer of Vetlife.

Dr AndraMaria Ionescu PhD, MSc, BSc(Hons.) Andra-Maria is an Arboviral Researcher at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), specialising in vectorborne diseases of public and veterinary importance. She leads diagnostic and surveillance work for emerging arboviruses, including West Nile virus and Usutu virus, and works closely with equine clinicians, government partners and wildlife organisations to support rapid detection and risk assessment. She leads the equine Testing to Exclude government scheme for WNV. With a background spanning molecular virology, project management and One Health collaborations, she plays a key role in the UK's national preparedness for equine arboviral threats.