AN INDEPENDENT veterinary practice near Berkeley has announced three new directors after marking its 25th anniversary and has plans to expand. 

Tyndale Vets - which is located in Lower Wick off the A38 - has promoted Kit Heawood, Sam Ecroyd and Harry Dibble. 

The trio join Tyndale’s existing directors, co-founder David Preece and Bryony Kendall, in the practice’s leadership team.

The news comes after the retirement of vet Nick Eames, who originally co-founded the business in 1998. 

Tyndale is the only independent farm-only practice in Gloucestershire and currently employs a 32 people, which includes 11 vets, 

Tyndale says they plan to recruit more vets and support staff this year.

The business is a fully independent practice working with farms, estates, smallholders and even zoos across the South West and also South Wales.
 

Stroud News and Journal: Directors at Tyndale Vets (L to R) Sam Ecroyd, Harry Dibble, Bryony Kendall, David Preece and Kit Heawood Directors at Tyndale Vets (L to R) Sam Ecroyd, Harry Dibble, Bryony Kendall, David Preece and Kit Heawood (Image: Tyndale Vets)

Newly appointed director, Sam, said: “The veterinary industry has come under fire recently. 

“The Competition and Markets Authority is investigating the corporatisation of the industry and the soaring prices the corporates charge, but at Tyndale our ethos is about maintaining our independence and putting people before profits.

“When we started at vet school the ‘James Herriot path’ was still a reality; work hard as an assistant vet, become a partner and run your own business. 

“Sadly, that opportunity has all but disappeared for most young vets. We’re therefore incredibly lucky to have been given this chance by Nick and David.”

The team also provides out of hours support and responds to emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

In recent years Tyndale has also established successful advanced breeding, genetics and Bovine IVF laboratories.

Tyndale co-founder, David Preece, said: “Over the past 25 years, we have enjoyed the freedom of making the business our own and empowering our team to follow their interests and develop into all kinds of new and exciting areas, which has all been key to both our success and continued growth. 

“We now work with all types of farms, estates, smallholders and even zoos, throughout the South West of England and South Wales, as well as developing our pioneering advanced breeding and IVF laboratory.

“When Nick decided to hang up his stethoscope and wellies, the whole team were sad to see him go, but we wish him well in his retirement and always plan to maintain our independence, which was Nick’s ambition, and our primary aim since we started the business.

“As a result, we’re now one of only a handful of independents in the area, following a period of major consolidation for the veterinary industry. 

“This puts us in charge of our own destiny, meaning we can control how we work, our pricing structure and crucially our personal service levels, rather than us becoming part of a corporate machine with an ever-changing team.

“Promoting Sam, Kit and Harry to director level was an obvious way to further safeguard this freedom. 

“All three are very experienced and popular in the farming community and there’s no doubt they’ll do a great job in helping to lead the team as we continue to build our client base and further expand our service offering, which makes it a very exciting time for us.”