Founded in 1791, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the largest and longest-established veterinary school in the English-speaking world and is a member institution of the University of London. Ranked as the top veterinary school in the QS World University Rankings 2022, it was the first in the world to hold and retain full accreditation from European, Australasian and North American regulatory bodies.

The RVC offers outstanding undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing, and biomedical sciences as well as CPD programmes in veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing.

A research-led institution, the RVC conducts world-class science ranging from the molecular through whole-animal, to population-based studies. It does so in the context of comparative biomedicine and One Health, embracing animal welfare, biomechanics, genetics, bioinformatics, pathology, epidemiology, clinical science and public health. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework Exercise, 88% of its research was rated as internationally excellent or world-class. The RVC also provides support for the veterinary professions through primary care practices and its three world-leading referral hospitals, including the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Europe's largest small animal hospital. The clinical facilities are all accredited to the highest level nationally.

The RVC has two campuses — one in central London, the other near Potters Bar in Hertfordshire. Both campuses offer first-class facilities and the Camden site hosts the London Bioscience Innovation Centre (LBIC), a hub for commercial research collaboration and business incubation in the biosciences and biotechnology. LBIC is currently home to more than 50 life science companies, ranging from entrepreneurial start-ups, venture investors and university spin-outs, to several more established businesses.

The RVC is proud of its academic programme, its research and its clinical services, as well as the high-quality student experience it offers. In the coming years, it will strive to remain at the forefront of pedagogical innovation, thought leadership in cognate sciences and the provision of clinical care. Unique in its governance and structure and a leader since its foundation, the RVC’s international reputation is built upon the synthesis of discovery, dissemination and delivery — and the ability to adapt to the challenges of a changing world and society’s needs. Committed, curious and compassionate, the RVC makes a difference.

The Council is the Governing Body of the RVC. Its membership and the membership of its Sub-committees includes representation from the staff and the student body and members from outside the RVC — the Independent Members. The role of Independent Members, who form a majority of the Members of Council, is analogous to that of the Non-Executive Directors of companies but is also explicitly a role that is one of a trustee of a charity.

Independent Members bring to the Council's deliberations a wide range of knowledge, skills and experience from the public and private sectors, and apply to these deliberations, balanced and disinterested judgment. The role of Independent Members of Council’s Sub-committees is similar to that of Members of Council and is based on their ability to provide expertise, insight and oversight of a range of assurance areas such as Audit and Risk, Finance, Human Resources, Estates Management and Ethics and Welfare.

Independent Members are expected to contribute their specialist skills and knowledge as needed and appropriate in the context of the overall profile and balance of expertise of Council's and / or its Sub-committees’ current independent membership. Independent Members are invited to consider, as part of their familiarisation with the RVC, how they may like to develop and sustain an engagement with the life of RVC, beyond formal meetings, in ways best suited to their interests and expertise.

Independent Member of Council (Clinical Pedagogy)

The successful candidate will be a highly-regarded leader and will be able to advise and provide challenge on strategic issues, good practice and sectoral and professional developments. Although they could have a veterinary background, they could also be from a clinical discipline such as medicine, dentistry, or other scientific subjects. Individuals who have been involved in diversity and inclusion initiatives would be particularly encouraged to apply.

Candidates should possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, energy and commitment, natural authority and insight and a clear understanding of the value of fostering a collaborative and enabling organisational culture. They should be able to demonstrate impact or achievement in their professional life. Whilst non-executive experience is not necessary, all applicants should be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of the difference between governance and management. Above all, they should bring a strong interest in higher education, veterinary medicine and / or the life sciences.

Independent Member of Council (Finance, Audit and Risk)

The RVC seeks a new Independent Member of Council with senior leadership experience in some or all of the following areas: financial / asset management, accounting, audit and assurance, and strategic risk management. They will have a strong business background with ideally, experience in capital development / major projects at an organisation of comparable complexity to RVC. There is a possibility that the appointed candidate may go onto to Chair the Finance and General Purposes Committee, so previous chairing experience, either of senior leadership meetings or of a committee / board, is welcomed but not essential. 

Sub-committee Members (Audit & Finance and General Purposes)

The RVC seeks new independent Sub-committee Members, ideally with leadership experience in at least one of: finance, audit and risk, information systems or cybersecurity.

Finance, Audit and Risk

The successful candidate will be a leader who will bring wide-ranging senior experience in some or all of the following areas: finance, asset management, accounting, audit, assurance and/or strategic risk management.   

Information systems / Cybersecurity

The successful candidate will be a senior leader with experience of oversight of large, digital information systems and / or have been responsible for cybersecurity in ideally complex organisations. 

All candidates should possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, energy and commitment, natural authority and insight and a clear understanding of the value of fostering a collaborative and enabling organisational culture. They should be able to demonstrate impact or achievement in their professional life. Whilst non-executive experience is not necessary, all applicants should be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of the difference between governance and management. Above all, they should bring a strong interest in higher education, veterinary medicine and / or the life sciences.

The RVC is dedicated to being an organisation in which equality, diversity and inclusion underpin all that it does. In pursuing its mission to educate, undertake research and provide clinical care, it remains committed to creating an inclusive, diverse and welcoming community, where its students and staff work together to ensure professionalism, mutual respect and collegiality are at the core of all activities. Together, this is something to which the RVC aspires and towards which it continues to work.

Barbara, Baroness Young of Old Scone, Chair
Roger Bright, Vice Chair
Jane Alexander
Robin Hargreaves
John Heawood
Zahid Latif
Amanda Pearce Higgins
Sonia Virdee
Alia Cooper

The RVC welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. As those from an ethnic minority background are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those candidates would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.

This role is unremunerated, although reasonable travel and other expenses will be reimbursed. There are four Council and up to four Sub-committee meetings each year as well as invites to other ad hoc event and meetings. The appointment is for a three-year term, which can be renewed twice at the discretion of the Board.

UK-based candidates are preferred, but international candidates who bring the required skills and an understanding of UK Higher Education, or the research and innovation landscape would be welcome to apply. Such candidates would need to be prepared to attend some meetings in person.