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About Iechyd Da

We are a veterinary delivery partner with a difference. Our difference is that we are a consortium of veterinary practices, working together to pro-actively investigate and discover preventative solutions that benefit vets, farmers and Government.

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Established in December
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Veterinary practices
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Welsh farmers supported
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TB testing and so much more

At Iechyd Da our passion and purpose is to improve livestock health and welfare. Always.

We research with our farmers, pro-actively develop with our vets and passionately deliver preventative solutions for Government and industry. The result? Farmers and their livestock enjoy healthier and happier lives.

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A research driven approach

From farm to laboratory, we listen, assess and advise.

Iechyd Da in collaboration with Aberystwyth University opened The Wales Veterinary Science Centre (WVSC) in 2015. Today, The WVSC delivers expert veterinary post-mortem examinations, disease diagnosis and university training, supporting the UK-wide agricultural sector and animal health.

More about WVSC

Meet the team

As well as providing veterinary services and participating in animal health and welfare planning, our team also pro-actively seek out inspiring initiatives that help meet the changing needs of farmers and their livestock.

Gareth Mulligan

Chair Of Board

Nikki Hopkins

Vice Chair Of Board

David Thomas

Principal Official Veterinarian

Brendan Griffin

Director

Don Thomas

Administrative Management Lead

Dr. George Roberts

Director

Dr. Ifan Lloyd

Director

Dr. Jim Hopkins

Director

Paul Rodgers

Director

Phil Thomas

Operations & Development Manager

Rob Smith

Director

Stephen Davies

Director

Career opportunities

Discovering scientific breakthroughs and delivering valuable support that improves lives is exciting. Working in the livestock veterinary sector means making a difference every day. Here are the current vacancies, across our veterinary practices…

Veterinary Prescribing Champions Clinical Lead (1 South Wales & 1 North Wales

We are seeking two vets with clinical farm experience and a passion for antibiotic stewardship to act as North Wales and South Wales clinical leads for the award-winning Veterinary Prescribing Champions Network.

This exciting role will provide expertise and support to our network of over 50 practices, helping them embed antibiotic stewardship initiatives in daily practice.

The role is 80% FTE, hybrid based at any Mentera office.

Salary: £47,229 pro-rata.

Full advert and how to apply can be seen here

Closing date: 19th May

Interviews: Week Commencing 26th May 

Please contact Gwen Rees for informal enquiries: gwen.rees@mentera.cymru / 07538 405048

Location: Wales

Role: Veterinary Prescribing Champions Clinical Lead (1 South Wales & 1 North Wales

Deadline: 19/05/2025

Find out more

Make a meaningful difference

Play a part in discovering new scientific opportunities, developing life changing solutions and delivering beneficial services for society.

Get involved. Today.
Iechyd Da

Discovering, developing and delivering.

Get in touch

Iechyd Da (Gwledig) Limited
Po Box 8, North Road,
Aberystwyth, SY23 2WB.

T: +44 (0) 1970 636 688
E: info@iechydda.cymru

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WVSC

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Iechyd Da Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number: 08821623

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Gareth Mulligan

Gareth Mulligan BSc BVSc Cert BCP MRCVS

Chair Of Board

Joined 2018

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Gareth is Practice Director and Farm Lead Clinician at Afon Veterinary Centre in Neath, South Wales where he uses his 30 years’ experience in veterinary practice to help guide predominately hill sheep and beef-based family farms to achieve their goals.

Gareth’s passion lies in promoting practical animal health and production and ensuring local vet practice remains embedded in farming communities.

Never far from nature, outside of veterinary practice Gareth is to be found in his garden providing a source of peace and inspiration as well as a challenge.

Gareth’s mantra…

Never take yourself too seriously.

Nikki Hopkins

Nikki Hopkins BVSc MRCVS BSc (Hons)

Vice Chair Of Board

Joined 2023

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Nikki is currently a Locum in clinical practice whilst combining non clinical roles working for NADIS. Nikki was previously BCVA President and has worked across all sectors of farm practice and bull stud work.

Farmer communication is a key priority for Nikki along with, the public’s knowledge and perception of farming. Nikki is in the planning stages to undertake a project in exotic disease.

Aside from veterinary work, Nikki can be found travelling where she combines volunteer and charity work abroad.

Nikki’s mantra…

The sky is the limit.

David Thomas

David Thomas BVSc MRCVS

Principal Official Veterinarian

Joined 2015

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As Iechyd Da’s POV David is responsible for the delivery of the Government veterinary services defined in the VDP contract and ensuring the highest professional standards. Throughout his career, David has thrived on meeting the challenges posed by endemic and emerging diseases.

David passionately plays a role in supporting newly appointed OV’s to develop their skills to succeed.

Aside from Iechyd Da, David enjoys fly fishing on wild remote rivers while watching the occasional eagle or osprey survey their territory.

David’s mantra…

Always strive for the best and then some.

Brendan Griffin

Brendan Griffin MVB MRCVS

Director

Joined 2015

Email Brendan

Following growing up on a dairy farm on the West Coast of Ireland and qualifying from Vet school in Dublin, Brendan worked in mixed practice in rural Wales, then headed overseas working in New Zealand and Australia before returning home to work in Galway.

Brendan is a Farm Vet Consultant at Fenton Vets, he is also Director of QA & Training for Iechyd Da , the VDP in South Wales as well as being Deputy POV, Lead Vet for the Wales Enferplex Pilot and joint manages the Pembrokeshire bTB Project.

In spare time, Brendan loves being in the great outdoors from cycling to coaching rugby come rain or sun.

Brendan’s mantra…

Collaboration is key.

Don Thomas

Don Thomas

Administrative Management Lead

Joined 2013

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Don is a qualified accountant with a master’s degree in business administration.

Operating as both Executive and Non-Executive Director on several private companies and Government sponsored bodies, Don is also CEO of Welsh Lamb and Beef Producers Ltd (WLBP).

For relaxation Don enjoys following sport and enjoys walking and fishing in the countryside.

Don’s mantra…

A passionate team is an unstoppable team.

George Roberts

Dr. George Roberts BVM BVS MRCVS

Director

Joined 2023

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As a Vet and Director working in mixed practice for Hafren Vets in Mid Wales, George works closely with sheep, cattle and commercial poultry.

George enjoys helping his clients to promote health, welfare, productivity and profitability of their stock whilst reducing reliance on antibiotics, increasing sustainability and improving the quality of life and mental health in farming.

Between work and a busy family life, George loves spending time in the beautiful Welsh countryside.

George’s mantra…

Community is everything.

Ifan Lloyd

Dr. Ifan Lloyd BSc; MA; VetMB; MRCVS

Director

Joined 2015

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Ifan has over 35 years’ experience of working as a Clinical Vet with a special interest in farm animals. As a Director of Cefn Gwlad Solutions Ltd, Ifan delivers animal health related services including a farm biosecurity programme and badger TB vaccination services.

Ifan is a member of the newly established Wales TB Technical Advisory Group (TAG). He is past President of BVA Welsh Branch and is currently Welsh representative on BVA Policy Group.

In his spare time Ifan enjoys breeding and showing his flock of pedigree Ryeland sheep whilst he is also a passionate endurance runner competing in marathons, trail races and ultra distance events.

Ifan’s mantra…

You never know until you try.

Jim Hopkins

Dr James Hopkins BVetMed MRCVS

Director

Joined 2023

Email Jim

Jim is a Farm Animal Veterinary Surgeon at Steffan Veterinary Services (IVC Evidensia) in Lampeter, West Wales. Jim is particularly interested in improving health on sheep and beef farms and has a keen interest in supporting both the farming and veterinary industries to become more sustainable.

Jim is also Chair of the IVC Evidensia Farm Animal Clinical Board, and Director of Wales Veterinary Science Centre whereby he enjoys training and presenting to farmers and vets.

When not in work Jim spends time with his family and dogs, cycling, kayaking and travelling in his campervan.

Jim’s mantra…

Everybody has the power to make a difference.

Paul Rodgers

Paul Rodgers BVSc MRCVS

Director

Joined 2015

Email Paul

Paul is a Bovine TB expert, Trainer and IT Developer with a career spanning 30+ years as a veterinarian. Paul’s interest lies in the control and eradication of bovine TB including the quest to make the SICCT a safer process for OVs and ATTs.

Inspired by Paul Livingston the developer of TB Free New Zealand, Paul pro-actively works with veterinarians and farmers to support practical bovine TB control and to improve farm biosecurity.

In his spare time, Paul enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, woodwork, photography and walking.

Paul’s mantra…

Never give up.

Phil Thomas

Phil Thomas BVetMed MRCVS

Operations & Development Manager

Joined 2015

Email Phil

Phil is a mixed veterinary practitioner with 37 years’ experience working in mid and south Wales.

Phil has been a Director of Iechyd Da since its inception, The Wales Veterinary Science Centre (WVSC) since 2015, an honorary fellowship of Aberystwyth University and since 2024 represents the British Veterinary Association on Wales’ TB programme board.

Aside from supporting the next generation of vets, Phil enjoys reading, walking the coast path, following football, participating in Park runs.

Phil’s mantra…

If you can do more, do it.

Rob Smith

Rob Smith BVetMed MRCVS

Director

Joined 2015

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Rob is a Director of Farm First Veterinary Services in Abergavenny. For over 30 years, Rob has worked in mixed practice and for the last 15 years working closely with farm animals and farmers in the South East of Wales.

Rob’s role in Iechyd Da and as project lead of the Arwain DGC Scheme has stimulated an interest in supporting and promoting the veterinary profession in Wales.

Outside of work Rob can be found fell running the mountains of Wales and travelling around mountains and coastlines of other parts of the world.

Rob's mantra...

Together we can do great things.

Stephen Davies

Stephen Davies BVSc MRCVS

Director

Joined 2023

Email Stephen

Stephen is Managing Director and Clinical Vet at Prostock vets in Carmarthen. Since qualifying from Bristol Vet School, Stephen has dedicated his career to overseeing herd health and supporting farmers to proactively plan for the future.

Stephen’s passion lies in dairy herd fertility and nutrition.

During his spare time, Stephen is busy transporting his three sons around various sports fields in West Wales and when time allows, volunteering at local cricket club.

Stephen’s mantra…

Data is power.

Dewin
WVSC

Iechyd Da (Gwledig) Limited
Po Box 8, North Road, Aberystwyth, SY23 2WB.

T: +44 (0) 1970 636 688
E: info@iechydda.cymru

Iechyd Da Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number: 1234567

Iechyd Da

Discovering, developing and delivering.

Iechyd Da (Gwledig) Limited
Po Box 8, North Road, Aberystwyth, SY23 2WB.

T: +44 (0) 1970 636 688
E: info@iechydda.cymru

Iechyd Da Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number: 08821623