Hi I'm
Kate Richards

Throughout my career I have focused on farm animal health & welfare, food safety and education. I am Past President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) (2021/22), Past President of the British Cattle Veterinary Association (2024/25), Fellow of the RCVS and Honorary Fellow of SRUC . 

I graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh and spent the next 15 years as a farm animal vet in Morayshire and then Aberdeenshire where I was a partner in the business. I moved on to join a global pharmaceutical company as a livestock veterinary advisor, promoted to marketing manager having gained a Diploma in Marketing.

I joined Defra in 2003 as a veterinary adviser for on-farm welfare, and then promoted to senior civil service positions across Whitehall. These included appointments to the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee which considered risks surrounding BSE and vCJD, the Cabinet Office and Principal Private Secretary for three successive Secretaries of State for Scotland. 

I have a portfolio of Non-Executive Directorships spanning livestock health and welfare, veterinary medicine and education. I have previously served on the SRUC and SAC Commercial Boards and currently am a member of the Food Standards Scotland, Moredun Research Institute and Glasgow Academy Boards. I am a member of the University of Edinburgh General Council Business Committee, Nursing and Midwifery Fitness to Practice Committee and volunteer for Vetlife which provides independent and confidential support for everyone in the veterinary community.