We welcome new trustees for RCVS Knowledge

We are pleased to welcome three new trustees to the RCVS Knowledge board this September. With varied backgrounds in the commercial, charity and veterinary sectors they will play a vital role in shaping the direction of our work and supporting us in delivering on our strategic goals.

Sam Bescoby is a veterinary surgeon with extensive experience across clinical practice, education, business ownership, and regulation. His career spans both private and academic sectors, including roles in first opinion and referral practice, and as a clinical teacher at UK universities. He now runs his own equine dentistry practice. Sam is a keen advocate for evidence-based regulation, fair oversight, and alignment between university curricula and clinical practice. He is particularly focused on issues such as paraprofessional inclusion, EMS placement pressures, and barriers to specialist training.

Sara Purdy is an interim chief executive with extensive experience in leadership roles across both the charity and private sectors. Across her career, Sara has guided numerous societies and membership organisations in navigating the complexities of academic publishing. Her senior leadership background includes key positions at British Institute of Radiology, Sage, and the National Gallery Company. Outside of work, Sara has welcomed two cats from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home into her home and strongly aligns with RCVS Knowledge’s vision for “healthier animals, people, and planet”.

Sarah Sim is currently executive director for membership and commercial services at Pensions UK. She brings extensive experience in business development, commercial strategy, and global membership leadership from her career which has included senior roles at the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA), ACCA and the British Diplomatic Service. With more than three decades of leadership experience across multiple continents, Sarah brings deep expertise in membership organisations, learned societies, and creating profit for purpose.

Amanda Boag, RCVS Knowledge chair of trustees, said: ‘It is fantastic to have Sam, Sara and Sarah join us as our new trustees. They are all highly experienced and bring a range of knowledge and expertise from the commercial, charity and veterinary sectors that will really strengthen our work. I am looking forward to working closely with them as we start to realise our new strategic aims.’