New RCVS President: John Parker takes up reins

Buckinghamshire-based veterinary surgeon, John Parker, has taken up office as the 129th president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) at its Annual General Meeting today.

John has spent most of his working life in equine veterinary practice. He is currently a consultant and carries out mainly equine referral work. He has had a long career in equine veterinary politics with the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), the Horserace Betting Levy Board and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

During his Presidential year, he will continue to work towards a new Veterinary Surgeons Act. He plans to see existing initiatives in practice standards and 24-hour cover come to fruition, and is also keen to involve the members of the veterinary profession more closely in the activities of the RCVS.

John Parker said, "With so many initiatives in the pipeline, which are key to shaping the veterinary profession for the future, it is critical that the views of veterinary surgeons at grassroots level are harnessed and translated into a workable framework under which they can operate."

He hopes to spend the little free time he has left tending to his farm, playing the occasional game of golf and spending time with his wife Sue, their five children and ever-increasing grandchildren.