Mike Jessop

Senior Vice President

Qualified in April 1984 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. He worked in companion animal clinical practice until 2017. His work was primarily in with dog and cat medicine and surgery, but he had a special interest in exotic species especially tortoises.

He was an Officer and Director of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association 2002 to 2008, serving as its president for 2006-7. He was the UK representative on the Union of European Veterinary Practitioners from 2008 to 2024 with a brief change to the European Veterinary Public Health Committee.

He has been on the Council of Veterinary Public Health Association since 2015 and is currently Senior Vice President, having been President from 2022 – 2024.

Since 2017 he has been involved with a wide range of regulatory activities and acts for many Local Authorities to provide expert opinion on health, welfare, regulatory and legal matters regarding Breeding, Boarding and Sale of pets. He has acted as expert witness or advisor for many other organisations including various governments, the RSPCA, the Veterinary Defence Society, private individuals, veterinary practices, the BBC, HTV and Petplan Insurance.

His primary interest is animal welfare and has published on the subject. He enjoys the cross over of disciplines and discovering Public Health aspects in all his work.

He was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2020 for Meritorious Contribution to the Profession.