Meet the Committee

President

Brendan Hickman BVSc, BAppSc, PGDipBA

As a part owner of an independent CA veterinary clinic in Nelson, I am passionate about trying to make the future of our profession a success. That requires us all working together to help create successful businesses so that those individuals in them can thrive.

I grew up on a sheep and beef farm in Marlborough and am relishing the move back to the 'top of the South' after many years away. My veterinary career includes working in mixed practices, equine stud and racing practice, technical veterinarian in a pharmaceutical company, and locuming in various city, village and emergency clinics in the United Kingdom, as well as a stint in Saudi Arabia. Away from work I enjoy spending time with our three energetic young boys, mountain biking, and adventure racing.

Committee Members

Rachael Fouhy BVSc (dist)

I am a mixed animal veterinarian at Tararua Veterinary Services in Pahiatua and a director of the Totally Vets Group. My main work interest is working with sheep and beef clients so they can optimise animal health and production outcomes. I am passionate about developing and mentoring young veterinarians in their first three years of clinical practice and enjoy watching them develop and succeed.

I grew up on a sheep farm in Southland and my husband and I are currently farming 900ha of North Island Hill Country with our two young daughters. Outside of work I am a competitive dressage rider and enjoy supporting my kids in their various sports and activities.

Jason Lowe MBA BVSc Cert EP

I spent over 25 years in clinical practice working in referral equine clinics in the UK, including three years at Rossdale and Partners, before taking up a shareholding at Matamata Veterinary Services Equine in New Zealand.

In 2015, I left clinical practice to undertake an MBA at the Waikato University Executive Education. Now managing partner of Innovative Medical Solutions (IMS Vet) Limited, my team and I led the research behind Arthramid Vet, resulting in it becoming a registered veterinary medicine in Australia and New Zealand.

I have a keen interest in leadership development opportunities in the veterinary profession and am involved with the NZVA and Veterinary Business Branch to promote veterinary wellbeing through better leadership. 

I am based in Cambridge with my family and am a keen mountain biker and back country skier as well as Chair of the St Peters Primary School Board of Trustees.

Mark Hosking BVSc, MBA(dist), MANZCVS

A Massey grad from 1999, I spent the next 13 years as a dairy veterinarian in the Waikato and the UK before moving into the role of Managing Director of Franklin Vets in 2012, after having completed an MBA through Waikato University.

I am passionate about improving the performance of New Zealand veterinary businesses as a pathway to improving the remuneration and work satisfaction of our teams and ensuring veterinary science is a great career choice for future generations.

I live in rural North Waikato with my wife and three daughters and outside of work enjoy most things outdoors, including skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking and a wide variety of water sports.

Megan Alderson BVSc

Founding Director of The Strand Veterinarian Limited and Creative Director of veterinary professional wellbeing promoting social enterprise Vet Thrive Limited, I graduated from Massey University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. Starting with eight years of mixed practice interspersed with world travel, I moved into companion animal practice and this has continued to be an absolute passion for me for the past 22 years.

As an explorer, a scientist, a pioneer, and a working veterinary clinician for over 30 years, I have business experience and acumen matched with an insatiable appetite to make sustainable change for the industry. After 12 years of building The Strand Veterinarian into an iconic Auckland companion animal practice, my purpose is to bring global thought leaders together so we can invest in our most precious resource – our carers. My current work is to provide an accessible and affordable multi layered toolbox to bring best wellbeing practice into every veterinary workplace to support veterinary professionals throughout their career.

Hannah Curwood

In 2001, I graduated with a New Zealand National Certificate in Veterinary Nursing (Distinction). After that, I worked in busy small animal practice in New Zealand and the UK as a Veterinary Nurse, progressing to become a Head Nurse, Practice Manager, Project Manager and General Manager/Co-Founder of The London Animal Hospital before starting my own veterinary leadership and management business, Curwood Consulting.

I now work with veterinary leaders as they progress through their careers, providing training, workshops, 1:1 mentorship and support to clinicians who are moved into positions of managerial responsibility and are learning the ropes on the job.

Jane Langton Burnell BVSc MRCVS

I first came to New Zealand as a new graduate from Liverpool with plans to work and travel for a few years before settling down; plans are meant to be flexible, so I married a dairy farmer and settled in the Horowhenua. I spent 20 years in predominantly dairy practice in New Zealand and the UK, before moving into practice management. In late 2020, I moved to Massey University to take up the role of Veterinary Teaching Hospital Director in the School of Veterinary Science – Tāwharau Ora. It is a hugely exciting time to be part of the school with so many positive changes underway, although it has been a pretty steep learning curve!

I am passionate about developing and supporting veterinary teams in supportive and inclusive workplaces and am looking forward to being involved in some of the important work the VBB is doing.

Hannah Bain BVSc (Dist)

I graduated from Massey University in 2008, and spent a few years in companion animal practice before joining MSD Animal Health where I am currently a Field Services Veterinarian for the Companion Animal team. Meeting veterinarians and clinic staff all over the country is one of the highlights of my job, and gives me insights into the veterinary industry as a whole in New Zealand. I have a special interest in staff and personal wellbeing, communication and teaching. I am also experienced in adverse event and complaint management, presenting, teaching and marketing.

Based in Tauranga with my husband and our two young boys, I enjoy horses and keep busy on our lifestyle block.

Observers

Lauren Gliddon BAnSci

I am Lauren Gliddon (Rodgers). My journey in veterinary medicine and animal health began over 15 years ago with a veterinary nursing qualification. This further sparked my passion for caring for animals, ensuring their wellbeing, and educating their guardians. Driven by a thirst for knowledge, I pursued a Bachelor of Animal Science degree, deepening my understanding of animal health, especially in the production animal sector. As my career evolved, I combined my love for animals with business acumen - with roles in sales, key account management, team leadership and strategy across pharma and nutrition.

Now part of the Vetlife leadership team, I oversee the companion animal business across 24 clinics with a predominant focus on service offerings. I remain dedicated to promoting animal welfare and making a positive impact in the field. The veterinary industry is unique in itself and I am proud to be a part of it. I hope my leadership and optimism can further ignite or reignite that flame for everyone in the industry I cross paths with.