BVNA Council is made up of a team of RVNs and SVNs from around the UK, from a range of backgrounds and career pathways. Together, Council members volunteer to champion veterinary nursing, sharing complete belief in what our profession can achieve.

Taking up senior roles within BVNA Council, Officers have opted to dedicate additional time and responsibility to support BVNA and drive the association forward. In this blog series, we meet the BVNA Council members beginning their Officer term in October 2026.

Macauly Gatenby previously completed a term as a BVNA Student Council member, rejoining BVNA Council as an RVN in 2025. He is due to step into the Officer role of Chair of the BVNA Congress and Events Committee in October. Here, Macauly discusses his experiences to date as part of BVNA Council, along with his vision for the future of veterinary nursing.

What led you to pursue a career in veterinary nursing?

I actually fell into veterinary nursing after failing to progress further with my zoology degree. Ironically it was during a period of poor mental health that I decided to dip my toes into being a veterinary care assistant in 2019. A year later, I found myself as a student veterinary nurse – and the rest is as they say, history!

Tell us about your previous experience as a BVNA Council Member, that has led you to your officer role.

During my time as a SVN I was fortunate enough to be a BVNA student council member, giving me a glimpse into the veterinary nursing profession whilst also being the voices for veterinary nurses, particularly students. I felt so supported and heard during my time as student council member I felt that I needed to try and get back on to council to continue work I had started and represent people in the profession further! I like to think of myself as a cheerleader for people and I want to provide space and opportunities for all that call themselves veterinary nurses. Being that person who can project voices and ideas always makes me happy so to be able to do that through an officer role is something I do not take for granted.

Where do you see veterinary nursing going in the future?

With the potential for Veterinary Surgeons Act reform on the horizon, I see the veterinary nursing profession becoming stronger. The public seems to be understanding a little bit more about the veterinary profession, in particular what veterinary nurses do and can do.

I hope for the moment veterinary nurses are no longer asked when or if they’ll become veterinary surgeons, but rather how to become a veterinary nurse and understand just how much we can and actually do. It’s time we as veterinary nurses truly understand our capability and value, and for this to ripple across the profession and wider community!

Why should SVNs and RVNs be a BVNA member?

Out of sight, out of mind always comes into my thoughts when people aren’t BVNA members. What does BVNA do for the veterinary nursing profession? So much is the answer! We are pivotal in being the representative voice of veterinary nurses. Not only this, but so much support and content is created to help veterinary nurses both professionally and personally. BVNA is constantly evolving with the veterinary profession to be able to lead and support veterinary nurses, so why not be part of the journey as a member?

Find out more about BVNA Council and how we work for the veterinary nursing profession here.