Hillary Cowley has joined the Animal Medicines Training and Regulatory Authority (AMTRA) as deputy chief executive, bringing veterinary experience and pharmacovigilance expertise to the independent regulatory body.

She will be largely supporting and working alongside Stephen Dawson, representing SQPs in their role, and raising awareness of their responsibilities within the animal medicines industry.

Ms Cowley will also represent AMTRA in discussion and policy groups and liaise with stakeholders, providing the organisation with the resource, knowledge, and expertise to enable AMTRA to serve SQPs and the industry more effectively.

A vet by profession, Ms Cowley’s career began in mixed practice in Sub-Saharan Africa after graduating from the University of Zimbabwe. She came to the UK in 2003, and after passing the RCVS Statutory Examination for membership, registered with them so that she could practice in the UK. She then went on to work in companion animal and out of hours emergency practice.

Using her existing knowledge of the veterinary industry, Ms Cowley is keen to encourage vets and SQPs to work together, helping to support animal owners and increase awareness of the resource SQPs can offer and the knowledge they hold.

“I am delighted to join AMTRA and have this opportunity,” said Ms Cowley.

“It’s an exciting time, and AMTRA will be playing a crucial role in helping to shape the future of the industry, representing those prescribing POM-VPS and GSL animal medicines and ensuring that the right actions are taken for the right reasons.”

“AMTRA has a solid reputation as a regulator, known for being robust and acting with integrity, so I am delighted to be a part of that team.”

• Read an interview with Ms Cowley and Mr Dawson in the March issue of OvertheCounter