ORWELL VETS LIMITED - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Alison Smith Senior Receptionist
- Senior Receptionist
I started working for Orwell Vets in January 2006. For 11 years I managed the Stutton branch which I enjoyed very much. I have worked at all 4 branches over the years but am now settled at the Berners Street branch where I took on a senior receptionist role in July 2017.
I have a passion for chickens and I volunteer for The British Hen Welfare Trust helping to re-home ex commercial hens. I have 3 bantam hens called Binky, Lola and Dolly, they are very pretty but are not great egg layers!! I also have 3 little dogs; Rio a jack Russell, Stanley a chihuahua cross and Delilah a chihuahua.
Brothers Charles and James Bagnall have built Orwell Vet Group into a multi branch, multi award winning vet practice from its early days as a small vet practice in Ipswich. Both Charles and James grew up in the Suffolk countryside and went to school in Ipswich. Sharing a passion for animals they, both chose the same career path and jumped at the chance to work together in their home town. Over the last 20 years, Charles and James have developed the practice in terms of facilities, services and staff.
Job Titles:
- Gail Nye Insurance Claims Administrator
- Insurance Claims Administrator
I originally started working at Orwell Vets in 1996 as a Veterinary Nurse . I did this role for 11 years before having a career break to have my children. I returned in 2016 to the role of Pet Insurance Claims Processor . Most of my free time is spent looking after my children, I enjoy long walks in the countryside, gardening and cooking .
I have a rescue Lurcher, 6 chickens and a few thousand honeybees!
Job Titles:
- Clinical Director
- PG Cert VPS MRCVS Clinical Director
Hi I am Harri, a Clinical Director here at Orwell Veterinary Group. I qualified as a Veterinary Surgeon in 2014 from the University of Liverpool. I began my career as a mixed-animal Vet in the Suffolk countryside before transitioning to solely small animal work three years later when I joined Orwell. I have a keen interest in soft tissue surgery and have completed a post-graduate certificate in the field. I pride myself in building up strong relationships with my patients and their owners by providing them with the best possible care and service.
I had period of absence from work in 2021 to have my son, Sidney, who has brought me so much joy. I have a new appreciation for working parents as it is not easy but nonetheless very rewarding. In my spare time I enjoy country walks and catching up with family and friends. I am born and bred in Ipswich which is probably why I am an avid Ipswich Town Football Club fan. My father and I have had a season ticket for over twenty years, and we rarely miss a match.
Job Titles:
- Receptionist
- Helen Brundle Receptionist
I was born in the village of Chelmondiston, I moved away initially but now I am back and settled into village life. I love all animals and have a beautiful labradoodle called Ralph and a cat named Sox. I also have chickens to look after now my children have all grown up.
I have been working at Orwell Veterinary Group as a Director since 1996 when I joined my brother Charles. I graduated as a veterinary surgeon in 1994 and spent 18 months working for a mixed practice in West Sussex. Since I have been at Orwell Veterinary Group I have developed a very keen interest in surgery. I carry out most of the more complicated or orthopaedic surgery and I have undertaken much ongoing training and am able to carry out surgery for many of the commonly seen problems in small animal practice. I have a particular interest in cranial cruciate ligament disease surgery using the Tibial Tuberosity Advancement procedure. As well as surgery I also enjoy consulting. I spend most of my time consulting at ourBerners Street surgery and enjoy meeting lots of lovely pet owners and their pets - many of whom have been coming to Berners Street with their pets for longer than I can remember. I get most job satisfaction out of developing long term relationships with pet owners and their pets in order to understand them and provide the care they want for their pet.
In addition to clinical work I spend far too much time in an office managing the practice and the staff. I am also responsible for our website and have learnt how to build websites over the last few yearsWhen not at work I enjoy spending time with my wife and our children. I am a keen cyclist and try to get out every weekend for a spin. I also love skiing but I think this is more to get a chance to spend time with family, sampling good food up a mountain, whilst the children have fun skiing. If I get any other spare time I am trying to restore a very tatty classic car.
Job Titles:
- Receptionist
- Jenna Davies Receptionist
Job Titles:
- Karen Lewis Veterinary Care Assistant
- Veterinary Care Assistant
I have worked at the Ravenswood branch of Orwell Vets since November 2015 and in that time gained my City and Guilds Veterinary Care Assistants qualification.
Over the years my husband and I have had many pets. We currently have three dogs, two German Wirehaired Pointers called Remy and Wilma and a Bracco Italiano called Daisy.
I have been going to dog training lessons since Daisy was a puppy, and have progressed through the classes, along the way studying clicker training, agility, scent work and field trial.
Job Titles:
- Receptionist
- Kate Smith Receptionist
I have 3 children, 3 dogs and 1 fat cat so quite a houseful! My dogs are called Winston, Fudge and Naalah and the cat is Barbie. When I'm not looking after them or on Reception at Berners Street I am normally to be found in the gym lifting weights. I joined Orwell in 2015 and before that I worked in the NHS - animals are nicer patients than humans!
Job Titles:
- Kirsten Adam RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
My name is Kirsten. I am a student veterinary nurse and started my work at Orwell as a receptionist. I have two dogs, five cats and a rabbit. I have always wanted to work with animals and look forward to my future as a registered veterinary nurse.
Job Titles:
- Receptionist
- Laura Collinson Receptionist
I have worked at Orwell Vets since January 2007 and love being a receptionist; meeting clients old and new and having cuddles with the pets.
I grew up in Suffolk before going to Bristol University, graduating in 2016. After graduation I spent a month volunteering in India before beginning my first job as a mixed vet back in Suffolk.
After almost a year as a mixed vet, I decided to focus my attention on small animals! I joined Orwell Vets in February 2019 and have since begun a post graduate certificate in small animal medicine.
Job Titles:
- Receptionist
- Lorraine Jennings Receptionist
Originally from Essex, I moved to Suffolk 25 years ago with my husband. We have raised our two boys here, now young men of 25 and 22.
Job Titles:
- Lucy Butcher RVN Veterinary Nurse
- RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
I started my journey at Orwell vets in January 2021 after completing my level 3 advanced diploma in equine management back in 2020.
Job Titles:
- Megan Jones RVN Veterinary Nurse
- RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
I have been working at Orwell Vets since October 2017. So far, I thoroughly enjoy all aspects of the job and look forward to my veterinary nursing career ahead. In my spare time I like to go on walks with my cocker spaniel Dilly and spend time with my friends. I also enjoy travelling to places like Thailand.
Job Titles:
- Receptionist
- Mitzi Staddon Receptionist
I have many things on my bucket list and working with animals has always been one of them. Next is to become a famous flamenco dancer - however I think this may take a couple of years as I haven't started lessons yet. So whilst you wait for the next fantastic chapter in my life I will be here to greet you at reception for the foreseeable future with a smile, and strokes for the animals that will allow me to!
Job Titles:
- Receptionist
- Patricia Garrod Receptionist
I have worked at Orwell Vets since 2019, after returning to the UK from Cyprus, where I lived for 10 years. My time in Cyprus was spent enjoying the sunshine, the local brandy sours and volunteering at an animal rescue centre, Kyrenia Animal Rescue. I loved my time at the centre and still miss the 300 plus dogs that live there - I can still remember most of their names! My last 2 dogs, Tintin & Brandy, were rescue dogs from KAR who saw out their twilight years back here in England.
Other adventures I have had are walking round a volcano in Indonesia, flying over the Angel Falls in Venezuela & floating over the Valley of the Kings in a hot air balloon. I am also a qualified Aromatherapist & Reflexologist.
Job Titles:
- Robyn Pettit RVN Veterinary Nurse
- RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
Job Titles:
- Reception Administrator
- Susan Preston Reception Administrator
I started working at Orwell in January 2018 as a trainee vet nurse. I have two rescue lurchers, Lenny and Oscar who enjoy our regular trips to the beach. I'm also a bit of a guinea pig fan and currently have two rescue boars named Fish and Chips and a sow called Wilma. I'm still looking to purchase a few more guineas to join the gang. Before working here, I studied at Easton College and gained an FdSc in Animal Science and Welfare which I enjoyed. After this I knew I wanted to train to be a Veterinary Nurse; I look forward to the rest of my training here at Grange Farm. Outside of work when I'm not walking the dogs I am quite into my fitness and am captain of a netball team and usually play on a weekly basis and try to regularly attend the gym.
Job Titles:
- Practice Manager
- RVN Practice Manager
I have worked at Orwell since 2013 where I started my training to be a Registered Veterinary Nurse. Having qualified in 2015 I loved working here so much I accepted a RVN job! In 2017 I took on the role of Head Nurse and really enjoy all aspects of the role.
My favourite parts of the job include surgical nursing and anaesthesia, which I like to develop as part of my continued professional development. I also really enjoy managing a team of awesome nurses as they make it very easy!
Out of work, I spend a lot of my time being kept on my toes by my 4 cocker spaniels.
Job Titles:
- RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Tracy Lindley RVN Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
I have worked at Orwell Vets since 2005. I started here as a student nurse and qualified in 2008.
I have an interest in animal behaviour and since qualifying in 2008 have done various courses on dog and cat behaviour. This has enabled me to help some of our clients with their problematic pets. I am in charge of the nurse rota which at times can make you want to pull your hair out. There are 15 nurses to organise on the rota so has its tricky moments.
At home I have a yellow Labrador called Reuben. We have had him since 2012 and got him as a puppy.
Job Titles:
- Nurse Manager
- Vickie Sadler RVN Nurse Manager
I'm Vickie, I have worked for Orwell Vets for over 17years now, I am currently working part-time. At home I have a husband, two handsome young boys and a Bengal cross cat called George. I enjoy all aspects of veterinary nursing from theatre/prep room work to reception and client care.