Our governance

The main decision-making, executive and managerial bodies at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).


The VMD Framework Document sets out the VMD’s governance and accountability arrangements.

VMD Management Board

The Board ensures that effective arrangements are in place to provide assurance on risk management, governance and internal control. It provides:

  • advice on strategy
  • advice on implementation of policies and business objectives
  • advice on achieving value for money
  • scrutiny of performance
  • support and challenge on the delivery of VMD responsibilities and the exercise of the CEO’s responsibilities as Accounting Officer (AO)

Non-executive members

Alison White, non-executive Director and Chair

Appointed Non-executive Director to the VMD in August 2023

Timothy Riley, non-executive Director

Appointed Non-Executive Director to the VMD in May 2021

Philippa Hardwick, non-executive Director

Appointed Non-Executive Director to the VMD in May 2021

David Catlow non-executive director

Appointed Non-Executive Director to the VMD in December 2018.

Sian Wright, Boardroom apprentice

Temporary appointment to the Board.

Defra members

  • Sally Randall, Director General for Food, Biosecurity and Trade
  • Abigail Seager, CEO, VMD
  • Gavin Hall, Deputy CEO and Director of Authorisations
  • Muiz Agbaje, Head of Finance, VMD
  • Mike Griffiths, Head of Business Support Division, VMD

The Board meets 4 times a year.

Members’ Interests

Board members have declared the following interests:

Name Name of Company Position Held Type of Interest or Organisation (such as pay, fees, shareholding)
David Catlow British Veterinary Association Member N/A
  British Equine Veterinary Association Member N/A
  Retraining of Racehorses Managing Director Pay
Timothy Riley Farmer/landowner Owner In receipt of CAP Basic Payment Scheme/Sustainable Farming Initiative pilot
  Defra UK Genetics of Livestock and Equines Committee Member Fees
  Wellstate HTA Limited Chairman Shareholding
  Better2Know Limited Non-Executive Director Pay
  Food Standards Agency Non-Executive Director Pay
  Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society President N/A
  Lleyn Sheep Society Member N/A
  Yorkshire Agricultural Society Member N/A
  Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Member N/A
  British Association of Shooting and Conservation Member N/A
  Civil Service Club Member N/A
  Kings College, Cambridge Non-Resident Member N/A
Alison White None
Philippa Hardwick None
Abigail Seager None
Gavin Hall None
Mike Griffiths None

Minutes

VMD Management Board meeting minutes September 2023 (PDF, 78.3 KB, 3 pages)

VMD Management Board Minutes July 2023 (PDF, 113 KB, 3 pages)

VMD Management Board meeting minutes March 2023 (PDF, 104 KB, 2 pages)

VMD Management Board meeting minutes 2 December 2022 (PDF, 108 KB, 2 pages)

VMD Management Board meeting minutes September 2022 (PDF, 102 KB, 2 pages)

VMD Management Board meeting minutes July 2022 (PDF, 101 KB, 2 pages)

VMD Management Board meeting minutes March 2022 (PDF, 174 KB, 2 pages)

VMD Management Board meeting minutes December 2021 (PDF, 104 KB, 2 pages)

VMD Management Board meeting minutes September 2021 (PDF, 108 KB, 2 pages)

VMD Management Board meeting minutes July 2021 (PDF, 107 KB, 2 pages)

VMD Management Board meeting minutes March 2021 (PDF, 103 KB, 2 pages)

VMD Management Board meeting minutes December 2020 (PDF, 106 KB, 2 pages)

VMD Management Board meeting minutes September 2020 (PDF, 101 KB, 2 pages)

VMD Management Board meeting minutes July 2020 (PDF, 112 KB, 3 pages)

VMD Management Board meeting minutes March 2020 (PDF, 176 KB, 2 pages)

VMD Mangement Board meeting minutes December 2019 (PDF, 130 KB, 2 pages)

VMD Management Board meeting minutes September 2019 (PDF, 107 KB, 2 pages)

VMD Management Board meeting minutes May 2019 (PDF, 110 KB, 2 pages)

If you would like previous meeting minutes or more information on any of the topics discussed email your request to postmaster@vmd.gov.uk

VMD Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC)

ARAC is a committee of the VMD Management Board.

ARAC supports and advises the Board and AO on issues of risk, control, governance and assurance and other related matters and assists internal audit’s role and status within the agency.

It has no executive powers or responsibilities. It meets 4 times a year.

Members

The VMD’s 4 non-executive Directors.

Representatives from the VMD’s senior management, the National Audit Office, Defra and the Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA) (VMD’s internal auditors) attend as advisers. Defra officials are invited to attend as required.

Minutes

VMD Audit & Risk Assurance Committee meeting minutes September 2023 (PDF, 101 KB, 4 pages)

VMD Audit & Risk Assurance Committee Minutes July 2023 (PDF, 107 KB, 3 pages)

VMD Audit & Risk Assurance Committee meeting minutes March 2023 (PDF, 75.8 KB, 3 pages)

VMD Audit & Risk Assurance Committee meeting minutes December 2022 (PDF, 160 KB, 3 pages)

VMD Audit & Risk Assurance Committee meeting minutes July 2022 (PDF, 95 KB, 3 pages)

VMD Audit & Risk Assurance Committee meeting minutes March 2022 (PDF, 170 KB, 3 pages)

VMD Audit & Risk Assurance Committee meeting minutes December 2021 (PDF, 133 KB, 3 pages)

VMD Audit & Risk Assurance Committee meeting minutes September 2021 (PDF, 127 KB, 3 pages)

VMD Audit & Risk Assurance Committee meeting minutes July 2021 (PDF, 137 KB, 3 pages)

VMD Audit & Risk Committee meeting minutes March 2021 (PDF, 128 KB, 4 pages)

VMD Audit & Risk Committee meeting minutes December 2020 (PDF, 149 KB, 3 pages)

VMD Audit & Risk Assurance Committee meeting minutes September 2020 (PDF, 131 KB, 3 pages)

VMD Audit & Risk Committee meeting minutes July 2020 (PDF, 129 KB, 3 pages)

VMD Audit & Risk Committee meeting minutes March 2020 (PDF, 131 KB, 4 pages)

VMD Audit & Risk Committee meeting minutes December 2019 (PDF, 99 KB, 3 pages)

VMD Audit & Risk Assurance Committee meeting minutes September 2019 (PDF, 128 KB, 4 pages)

VMD Audit & Risk Assurance Committee meeting minutes May 2019 (PDF, 149 KB, 4 pages)

If you would like previous meeting minutes or more information on any of the topics, email your request to postmaster@vmd.gov.uk

VMD Quarterly Performance Review Board (QPRB)

The Quarterly Performance Review, chaired by the Defra DG FBT system, facilitates formal reporting on both the VMD’s delivery of policy objectives and performance against budget. The VMD’s CEO attends this meeting along with other Defra and VMD officials as required.

VMD Executive Management Board

The board meets weekly to discuss the finances and day-to-day running of the VMD.

Members

The board members are:

  • Abigail Seager, Director and CEO, VMD
  • Gavin Hall, Deputy CEO and Director of Authorisations, VMD
  • Mike Griffiths, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Business Support Division, VMD
  • John Millward, Head of Inspections and Enforcement Division
  • Dr Suzanne Eckford, Head of International Office
  • Dr Marian Bos, Head of Legislation Office and VMR Project SRO
  • Dr Kitty Healey, Head of Surveillance Division