VetSalus Chair

VetSalus connects international food producers with local veterinary expertise to enhance animal health, welfare, and sustainability across the global food chain, while also providing leadership in global food strategies by fostering relationships and developing educational materials that build capacity and promote sustainable agriculture.

VetSalus seeks to provide leadership in global food strategy, particularly around animal health and welfare and sustainable agriculture, developing relationships and networks, to build capacity and collaborate globally.

VetSalus is looking to recruit an independent Chair to serve their Board, with a proposed minimum term of 3 years, with the possibility of a second term if mutually agreed. This role is pivotal in guiding the strategic direction of the organisation, fostering effective governance, and supporting the executive team in delivering VetSalus's mission

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Governance

• Lead the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities and ensuring alignment with VetSalus's strategic objectives.
• Facilitate effective Board meetings, ensuring balanced participation, clear decision-making, and timely follow-up.
• Support succession planning and director recruitment to maintain a diverse and skilled Board.

Strategic Oversight

• Collaborate with the CEO and executive team to shape long-term strategy and monitor progress against key milestones.
• Provide high-level guidance on business development, stakeholder engagement, and risk management.

Representation & Advocacy

• Act as a public ambassador for VetSalus at industry events, member updates, and strategic forums.
• Strengthen relationships with international partners, members, and collaborators across the food value chain.

Support & Mentorship

• Offer mentorship and constructive feedback to the executive team.
• Champion evidence-based practice, sustainability, and innovation within the organisation.

Skills and Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience, ideally as Chair or senior director within veterinary or agricultural organisations.
• Strong understanding of governance frameworks and Board dynamics.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder environments and to develop and implement effective strategies.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, including comfort with virtual platforms (e.g. Zoom, Google Workspace, Teams etc).
• Familiarity with production animal health, One Health principles, or sustainable agriculture is highly desirable.
• A broad professional network across veterinary, agricultural, or food systems sectors.
• An interest or understanding of sustainability and the challenges faced
• An understanding of the politics and how they are formed around Animal welfare, sustainability and the schisma between food producers and the consumers

Commitment & Remuneration

• Attendance at bi-monthly online Board meetings (typically early morning or evening to accommodate global time zones).
• Participation in bi-annual member updates and occasional in-person events.
• Monthly online meetings with the CEO
• VetSalus is an international organisation with offices in the United Kingdom, Denmark and New Zealand. There is no requirement for the applicant to be based in any of these countries, we welcome international applicants.