HAWTHORN VETS - Key Persons
Alex grew up in nearby Surrey and graduated from the University of Bristol in 2015. Since graduation he has spent time in both small and large animal practice, and has particular interests in infectious disease and dentistry. He joined the Hawthorn team in 2021 and enjoys life close to the south downs with his wife, their little one and springador Bella. They love to get out and explore the local walking trails, and have hiked all 100 miles of the South Downs Way!
Alice started working at Hawthorn as an Animal Care Assistant in Feburary 2022, and loves the variety each role has to offer! In her spare time, Alice enjoys walking her two dogs Goldie and Bella around the countryside and particually the beach.
Alison joined the reception team in December 2016 and loves her role having spent many ( many ) years in the banking industry. She loves welcoming our clients and making a fuss of all the animals along side her other various duties. When Alison is not working she enjoys socialising with her family and friends, volunteering for the Cats Protection and the Cinnamon Trust, walking, planning her next holiday and learning Greek !!! She shares her home with her husband, cat Mrs Norris ( who rules the roost) and her pony Champagne.
Annelise grew up in Buckinghamshire and, after a gap year in New Zealand helping to run a large dairy farm, graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2002. Her career has run parallel to Jonathan's and she was originally a lead veterinary surgeon at a 3 branch practice on the Berks / Hants border. Annelise is particularly interested in treating exotic pets such as reptiles, birds and small mammals and also has specific expertise in veterinary acupuncture. Annelise spends a lot of time behind the scenes managing the accounts and the rest of the family - Elliott and Owen (and Jonathan!).
Annelise Underwood took ownership of Hawthorn Vets in April 2012 from Malcolm and Jennie Wild. Then, it was very much a local village practice with an excellent reputation for a personal and professional service. Jonathan and Annelise have built on this and Hawthorn Vets has evolved to maintain a personal and friendly service, but has expanded to offer a much wider range of services backed up by the latest equipment and experienced staff.
Claire started working at Hawthorn in April 2015, previously she worked as a dental nurse for many years. She enjoys all aspects of her role as a veterinary receptionist and when she is not at work spends her time catching up with friends and walking her 5 dogs Dotty, Belle, Stella, Dolly and Mabel.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Practice Manager
- Assistant Director and Head Veterinary Nurse
Sussex born, Danielle started her veterinary career in 2005 and trained to be a veterinary nurse in Devon. She then spent almost 3 years in Switzerland where she worked in a mixed practice enjoying both small and large animal work. Danielle moved back to England with husband Fabian in 2013, and after working in a practice along the coast joined Fabian here at Hawthorn Vets in 2015. Danielle became an Associate Director in June 2021 and moved from the Head Nurse position to Practice Manager in 2024. When not in practice Danielle is busy balancing being mum to her two boys with training for her latest open water swimming event. On top of that Danielle also takes care of the family dog, a Lurcher called Beryl, Spud the one eyed cat and a flock of rescue chickens.
Emily started at Hawthorn in March 2022 and has lived in Partridge Green all her life. Soon after she finished her A levels she worked as an Art Technician and then at a Nursery . Ever since she was little she's always aspired to work at the place that took the best care of her animals. After being brought up with 3 boxers in her family there's now a fourth, a bouncy 2 year old boxer called Beau. The saying about working with children and animals springs to mind!
Job Titles:
- Senior Vet and Associate Director
Fabian grew up in rural Switzerland and decided he wanted to become a vet when he was a small boy. He has never regretted that decision! After qualifying at the University of Zurich in 2003, he moved to England and worked as a small animal vet in the South West for several years. That's where he met his wife Danielle. Later they decided to move to West Sussex which is where Danielle has grown up and Fabian has been working at Hawthorn Vets since 2013. Fabian has a special interest in ultrasonography but he also enjoys soft tissue surgery and all aspects of internal medicine. He loves meeting the clients as much as he likes treating their pets. In his free time Fabian can be found running on the local trails or riding his road bike. Fabian and Danielle have two boys and they share their house with a Lurcher and a one eyed cat and their garden is home to a few hens and couple of guinea pigs.
Faye joined the Hawthorn team in July 2015 and brings over 15 years of nursing experience with her. Alongside her Veterinary Nursing qualification, Faye has completed the BSAVA merit award in Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy. When not at work you will find Faye trapsing around West sussex with her dogs, children and their beloved pony Pi!
Hayley started at Hawthorn in November 2019. She studied Animal Management Level 3 at Brinsbury College and qualified with a triple grade Distinction. She has volunteered in Botswana as part of her college course and for the past 5 years has worked with German Shepherds and Greyhounds.
Heather started at Hawthorn Vets in November 2023 after working over 22 years in the Veterinary sector. After 6 years working in the nursing team, Heather has since worked as a receptionist at a variety of practices. She absolutely loves the client/animal interaction. In her spare time Heather plays womens football, enjoys going to military shows, country shows and long brisk beach walks. The end goal being a latte and big piece of cake! She is married and shares her home with Lacy the cat. Heather says "you cannot beat a cat purring on your lap to ease away the stresses of life"
Heather joined the practice in December 2019. She has been involved in the Veterinary industry for over 10 years and qualified from Plumpton College in August 2018 having gained a diploma with merit in Veterinary Nursing. Heather lives in Shoreham with her husband Jack, however grew up locally in Upper Beeding. Heather's love of animals started early and she remembers visiting Hawthorn Vets from a young age with her family pets. Heather adopted her cat, "Merlin", when he was bought into Hawthorn Vets as a stray and needed a loving, forever home.
Helen has worked at Hawthorn for around 15 years! She originally started as a registered veterinary nurse, but since having her daughter Alice 4 years ago, has moved to the reception team. She loves meeting and talking to clients old and new. She lives in Lewes with a man, a cat , and her much awaited, and very lively daughter Alice!
James's love of animals developed from the many days spent as a kid at London Zoo where his father worked. He graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2016, and being keen to return home in the South East, has worked in Sussex since. After working for a busy 24 hour hospital in Brighton, he joined us at the start of 2024 to develop his passion in surgery. His other interests lie in cardiology, imaging and rabbit medicine (alongside other exotic species). In his free time James is a Ceroc dance teacher, avid gardener and loves cuddling up with his two cats and three rabbits.
Jess grew up in Newlyn, a small seaside town in Cornwall & developed a keen interest in science whilst doing kitchen table experiments with her Dad who was the local GP. Combining her love of science and animals she spent a few years working as a Zoologist studying Meerkats and then went on to qualify from the Royal Veterinary college in 2011. She has worked as a small animal vet ever since.
After several years in London, she settled in Sussex in 2014 with her husband Nick, their two young children and their rescue cat ‘short round'. They love all that the Sussex countryside has to offer. In her spare time Jess loves yoga and running with her local athletics club. Jess loves all aspects of working as a vet but particularly enjoys feline medicine, Ophthalmology and forming relationships with clients.
Jonathan was brought up and educated in West Sussex, coming from a local farming family. After graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in 2002 he worked for some years in a mixed veterinary practice in Suffolk. After a year working and travelling with Annelise in Australia he began work at a large veterinary hospital in Berkshire where he subsequently became Clinical Director. Jonathan has a specific interest in surgery, particularly orthopaedic. Outside of work, Jonathan is a Dad to Elliott and Owen and enjoys clay pigeon shooting and plays hockey if he has time and is fit enough!
Kara came to Hawthorn Veterinary Surgeries in August 2004 as a receptionist, after working as a dental nurse for 7 years. She enjoys all aspects of her role, and is primarily responsible for managing the Practice Health Plan and Accounts . Outside work Kara enjoys spending time with her two young sons, and caring for her rather quirky tortoise Hattie, her cat Arlo, and her VERY quirky Old Time Bulldog Obie! Kara is also a keen photographer.
Katie has lived in Partridge Green all her life and is what some people would call a country bumpkin! She has studied Animal Care and Agriculture at Brinsbury collage for 4 years and has a massive love for animals big and small. She has two Jack Russells at home Alfie and a puppy called Bertie.
Lauren came to Hawthorn to begin her nurse training in January 2020. Normally it is a one year post, but she has got on so well that we asked her to stay! Lauren qualified as an RVN in June 2022. Outside of work, Lauren is kept busy with her horse Moose and yard companion "Penny" the cocker spaniel. The newest addititon to the family is "Chase" the tabby cat!
Lizzie joined the practice in November 2018 after moving back to West Sussex from Manchester. She lives in Hassocks with her husband, son and Chinese Crested Powderpuff Suzie. Lizzie previously worked for 5 years at a vets in Manchester. Prior to that she was a keeper at Chester Zoo, looking after animals ranging from elephants and giraffes to anteaters!
Lucy also started at Hawthorn in November 2019. Previously she has worked in a care home and is looking forward to learning more about pet care! Lucy is currently on Maternity Leave.
Lucy grew up locally in Ashurst and began her veterinary career at Hawthorn 15 years ago cleaning out the kennels after school! After graduating with a degree in Forensic Biology from the University of Portsmouth and working as a forensic DNA analyst for three years, Lucy decided it was time to follow her childhood dream and returned to university to study veterinary medicine and graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2021 and immediately started working at Hawthorn Vets, where she is now a fixture! Lucy lives at home with her husband and naughty one year old miniature dachshund called "Finley". Lucy is a keen rugby fan and likes to get up to the Stoop on a Saturday to watch Harlequins playing their home games. Lucy looks forward to meeting you and your pets soon!
Nikki started work at Hawthorn Vets in June 2022 having had a varied career in reception work, she lives in Henfield with her partner and crazy Cocker Spaniel, Leo. When Nikki is not working she loves to socialise with friends and spend time with her little grandaughter.
Nikki had worked in the Veterinary industry for 5 years before joining our practice in January 2020. She is married with 3 children and a lurcher called Monty so she doesn't have a lot of spare time for much else! She once ran the London Marathon and has always said she would do it again but is more likely to indulge in DIY at home with a glass of prosecco!
In 2019, we relocated Henfield for a third time into what was the Barclays Bank in Henfield High Street. The interior of the building was purpose designed as a veterinary practice and took over as our main site from Partridge Green.
Rebecca qualified from the unversity of Cambridge in 2002. She has worked in the South East for most of her career and began at Hawthorn in 2015. Rebecca is particularly interested in feline medicine and completed a certificate in this field in 2019 - all whilst taking a break to look after her son Daniel! She is primarily responsible for our home visit service but can also be found in the consulting rooms of both practices from time to time. At home she has two Ragdoll cats, Kristian and Kimberley, who are very playful and cheeky!
Becs started working at Hawthorn Vets in March 2015 after spending 5.5 years working in a town veterinary practice along the coast. She enjoys all aspects of her role but particularly enjoys the client/animal interaction. In her spare time she can be found out walking her three dogs, Tia, Bow and Remi. Travelling and exploring new parts of the country and beyond with her husband and son, catching up with friends and family over good food or in the Springtime helping with lambing of the family flock of 170 ewes.
Vicki began life as a vet in 2012 following degrees in Veterinary Medicine from the Royal Veterinary College London and Animal Science from Nottingham. Having always had a passion for all those small and furry it was an easy direction for her to focus on small animal practice. She has developed interests in soft tissue and laproscopic (keyhole) surgery and is heading up our keyhole spay service! At home she has a cheeky Jack Russell called "Rodney" who loves playing football and a cat who responds grudgingly to the name "Stinky Pete". Fortunately they get on really well. Vicki looks forward to meeting your pets and will always be available for cuddles.