Sue qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 1996 from the RVC, where she also spent her first year working in the Large Animal Practice. She then moved to a busy farm and equine practice in Cornwall.

Sue started working as a Government vet in 1999 in what was then MAFF, mainly carrying out TB testing duties ‘’between jobs’; she intended to move into exclusively equine practice. However, she was soon tempted to apply for a more permanent position as a Government vet, attracted by the job security, flexibility, variety and particularly the camaraderie – she enjoyed being part of a very friendly, supportive team.

Sue has had many roles – field vet, investigatory role in a regional laboratory, Veterinary Advisor (VA) for TB, VA for Contract Management, Head of Careers and Education and now Veterinary Head of OV Regulatory Affairs. APHA also supported an extended career break, allowing her to come back to pursue her career whilst still maintaining the flexibility to support her family.

Sue’s current role was introduced to APHA in 2021 and it recognises the importance of the OVs that work with APHA. She wants to ensure that OVs can carry out their roles with confidence and that APHA can provide assurances, including to international trading partners, that our OVs are working to the highest standards. Sue is proud of the OV community upon whom APHA depends to deliver a wide range of work.