Succession: New CEO lined up for XLVets

AFTER a year of succession planning, a new CEO has been identified to lead XLVets, a community of independent veterinary practices.

The group, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, is set to replace Andrew Curwen, who is stepping down after 19 years, with Kerrie Hedley at its AGM in June.

XLVets has 70 members who all share best practice, experience, knowledge and skills to define the highest standards of veterinary care.

Andrew will continue to play a role, supporting the development of the next generation of business owners through its Aspiring Owners and Leadership programmes.

Kerrie Hedley and Andrew Curwen

Kerrie, who has been part of the XLVets team since 2015, trained as an equine vet, originally joining XLVets as Equine Business Manager.

Then, through ongoing professional development, mentorship and subsequent leadership of many aspects of the organisation, she became chief operating officer in 2019.

Since then, Kerrie has overseen the operational running of XLVets and was instrumental in the community launching its successful Veterinary Women in Leadership (VWIL) initiative, which aims to break down the barriers for women who aspire to own independent veterinary

practices.

She said: “I was first introduced to XLVets in 2011 when I started working as an equine vet

in a member practice and was hooked by the opportunities it presented.

"Working with other practices in a collaborative way, sharing problems and working out solutions together was hugely beneficial.

“When the opportunity arose to join the XLVets team on a 12-month maternity leave contract, I jumped at the chance and never left.

"It’s felt like a big privilege to work closely with member practices to promote collaboration and togetherness and make sure they benefit in the same way that I did.

"I still remember my first XLVets meeting with members and the sense of belonging, the energy, the shared purpose, and all the new ideas.

“Becoming CEO is a huge honour because it gives me even more of an opportunity to help

independent practices thrive and succeed long into the future. By working together, we can

achieve so much more.

"We’re also delighted that members will continue to benefit from Andrew’s knowledge and

experience.

"The unwavering commitment and energy he has invested in XLVets over the last

20 years is profound and there’s no doubt he has had a lasting impact on our members and

everyone who has worked with him, which we’re all very grateful for."

Andrew said: "We strongly encourage succession planning for our members, and we have

been thoughtfully shaping this transition over the past year to ensure continuity for our

community.

"This is a natural point in the evolution of XLVets, where leadership has never

been a solo act. It has always been a shared journey and will continue to be so.

"Kerrie has developed strong working relationships with both members and her colleagues,

and I’ve been fortunate to work alongside her for the past 11 years.

"I’ll now work closely with her for the next four months to complete a seamless handover and there’s no doubt she is the right person to lead XLVets into its next chapter.

"It has been the honour of a lifetime to serve this community and I’m still looking forward to

supporting the next generation of business owners in our member practices.

"I am in no doubt that practices that are owned and run by people who live within their local

communities, and who work cooperatively with like-minded professionals, can shine as

valuable beacons of credibility, capability, integrity and worth."