Kathryn Witney

Operations Assistant

Kathryn joined the Client Care Team at Southfields in January 2020. She has a huge passion for exploring around the globe and went away travelling for three years, she then lived in Australia for two.

She has two family cats called Millie and Lucy who she loves very much and visits regularly at her family home in Manchester.

Her creativeness was articulated when she joined Oxford School of Drama for a year. Her dexterity of acting was presented in many theatrical productions over the years.

Of a weekend, Kathryn tends to enjoy many walks; exploring the tranquil areas around her home. She also often appreciates catching up with the friends made over the years and from around the world.

Sarah Stam

Operations Manager

Sarah worked as a weekend kennel hand in a local boarding kennels, before joining our team as an Evening Receptionist in 2005. In 2006, she decided to go to Australia for 6 months and her mother kept her evening role open for her.

Upon her return, Sarah became a full time member of our reception team and eventually became the Senior Receptionist. Sarah’s role changed again in December 2017 when she was promoted to Operations Assistant and then to Operations Manager in 2020.

In her spare time, Sarah shows her family’s Field Spaniels and is also a volunteer dog trainer at a local training school. She also enjoys going to the gym. At home, Sarah has a golden Cocker Spaniel called Pippa, who keeps her very busy!

Nicola Barrigan

Head of Nursing Services

RVN, ILM Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management

Nicola qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2009 while working at a busy 24-hour Veterinary Hospital in East London. She has a keen interest in anaesthesia and ECC and, following qualification, she held the roles of Orthopaedic Nurse and Charge Nurse before progressing to the position of Nursing Managing in 2014. In 2019, Nicola successfully completed her ILM Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management.

Nicola owns a classic VW Campervan and enjoys socialising with other VW enthusiasts.

She has two rescue dogs, Harry and Winston, and loves to spend her weekends walking the dogs in Epping Forest with family and friends.

Hilary Bell

Anaesthesia Registered Veterinary Nurse

RVN

In 2010, Hilary started her veterinary career in a first opinion, small animal practice as a student veterinary nurse and qualified in 2013.

She became deputy head nurse in 2016 before deciding that referral nursing was a career path she was keen to explore after 10 years in general practice. Hilary joined the team at Southfields in July 2021.

She has an interest in all aspects of nursing but is particularly attracted to feline nursing having always owned cats. She has a super senior domestic shorthair cat called Lillie who she has had from a kitten.

Outside of work, Hilary is a member of the Scout Association, plays the alto saxophone in a concert band based in Rayleigh and enjoys movies; she considers herself a cinephile.

Maisy Hollings

Senior Client Referrals Coordinator

Level 2 Business Administration Diploma

After school Maisy worked for social services doing administration, before moving onto accounts for two years and then joining Southfields. In her spare time Maisy likes to go for walks and spend time with her family. She also likes spending time with her cats!

Vinny Karnovski

Multidisciplinary Registered Veterinary Nurse

RVN Level 3 Diploma in Small Animal Veterinary Nursing - 2021

Level 3 qualification in Canine Hydrotherapy - 2018

Clinical coach certification - 2022

Vinny began working in a busy 24 hour hospital as an auxiliary nurse in 2016 and found her passion in Veterinary Nursing. She attended Greyfriars Rehabilitation and Hydrotherapy Centre in 2018 where she achieved a level 3 qualification in Canine Hydrotherapy. She then attended The College Of Animal Welfare in 2019 in order to obtain her level 3 diploma in Small Animal Veterinary Nursing. Vinny qualified as a clinical coach in April 2022. She has a keen interest in Surgical Nursing, Patient Rehabilitation and Canine Hydrotherapy. In her spare time Vinny enjoys cooking and doing both yoga and artwork.

Leanne Anderson

Surgical Registered Veterinary Nurse

RVN

Leanne studied Art and Design at college but after a short while, she decided that she wanted a career working with animals. Leanne began by volunteering in a cattery before she took up the role as trainee veterinary nurse at a local practice in 2000. After three years of studying and working within a first opinion, ophthalmology referral and exotic referral practice, Leanne qualified with Merit. Leanne joined our nursing team in 2007 and loves all aspects of referral nursing, but has a special interest in surgery.

Leanne has a cat called Minstrel and a rather large collection of creepy crawlies. She lives with her husband and her little boy.

Kira Jarvis

Student Veterinary Nurse

BSc (Hons) Animal Management (Companion and Zoo)

Kira has always wanted to work with animals and has previously volunteered at numerous animal establishments including a cattery, Essex Wildlife Trusts, two veterinary clinics and at a nature reserve in South Africa. She has a degree in Animal Management and undertaking this inspired an even greater interest in improving animal welfare.

In her spare time, Kira is an Assistant Cub Scout leader and has been through all sections of Scouting having completed her Queens Scout Award and Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. She also enjoys reading, swimming and trips out to animal establishments.

Samuel Huckle

Oncology Technician

Before joining Southfields, Sam worked for the NHS for over 10 years as part of their oncology service, learning about chemotherapy care and cancer treatments.

Sam's interests include oncology and his love for animals brought him to Southfields. Sam loves chihuahuas and also has an interest in amphibians. Sam has a pet axolotl, cat and dog.

Will Clayton

Facilities and Safety Lead
Relocation Lead

Will started his working career in sales working as a market trader on Essex, Kent & London markets, then moved to sales in Basildon’s then Allders Department store in the Eastgate Centre for several years, selling furniture and beds.

He took some time out to travel and work in India, South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand & America , learnt to dive in Australia on the barrier reef and worked as a cocktail waiter in New Zealand!

When he returned home, he started his career in Facilities, working for multi-national law firm Ashurst working in the London office and setting up new offices in Europe, then international award winning architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, working in the cheese grater as well as Thames Wharf, where I also gave support to the River Café (Michelin starred restaurant and celebrity hang out) and then finally Allies and Morrison again an international practice who were the designers of the Olympics Masterplan.

Will then returned full circle to come back to working in Basildon and at Southfields.

In his youth, Will competed in athletics for Basildon, karate and jiu jitsu, rugby and has cycled to Italy twice. He is also qualified to teach exercise to music (aerobics!)
His hobbies are now a little more sedate and he spends time standing in rivers to recover!

Having four children, Will spends a lot of his spare time picking them up and dropping them off, as well as holidaying in Spain where he has recently acquired an apartment.

Jo Ryan

Business Relations Manager

RVN Cert SAN

Jo started her career as a Veterinary Nurse at a busy hospital in Wanstead where she worked as a Surgery Nurse, with a main interest in Orthopaedics and Neurology. She went on to work at the Royal Vet College nursing in theatre and wards. Jo went back to open a new clinic and managed the opening and training of nurses.

After having a career break to raise her two children Jo went back to work at a local clinic in Chelmsford. She worked as a consulting nurse for ten years before moving on to a sales role for Hills Nutrition. She worked there for 8.5 years and enjoyed forging good relationships with many clinics.

Jo lives in Chelmsford with her two adult children 24 and 20 years. three cats, two tortoises and a Gecko. Jo also enjoys fostering cats for Cats’ Protection and seeing her friends.

Veronique Livet

Head of Orthopaedic Service

DVM, MRCVS, IPSAV, MSc, Dip. ECVS

Veronique graduated from VetAgro Sup, Veterinary Campus of Lyon (France) in 2013. She completed just after her graduation, a rotating internship in small animals at the University of Montréal (Canada) in 2014. She then studied for her Master’s degree in Biomechanics at the University of Lyon (France) and completed at the same time a surgical internship at VetAgro Sup, Veterinary Campus of Lyon (France) in 2015.
Veronique finally completed her 3 years residency program in small animal surgery at VetAgro Sup, Veterinary Campus of Lyon (France) in 2018 and she obtained her ECVS diploma in February 2020.
She moved to the UK in 2019 where she worked in a referral hospital in the south of England for 4 years., joining Southfields Veterinary Specialists in 2023.

Veronique enjoys all aspects of small animal surgery but she has a special interest in all joint pathologies and fracture repair.

During her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking and baking, going to the gym, hiking with her dog, and traveling as much as she can.

Chloe Stammers

Client Care Assistant

BTEC Childcare Level 2 and BTEC Health and Social care level 3

Chloe describes herself as a family orientated, compassionate and friendly person who loves spending time with her partner and their three fur babies, Jasper, Luna and Toffee.
In her spare time, Chloe enjoys going camping with her partner and their dog and she also loves to go on coastal walks.
Chloe is also a massive Harry Potter fan, she enjoys watching the films and reading the books.

When Chloe left school in 2013, she started studying BTEC Childcare at Seevic college. When Chloe finished studying Childcare, she started her studies in BTEC Health and Social care. In 2021, Chloe also qualified in Manicures and soak off gel Manicures and started her own part time business doing so.

Chloe previously worked as a Cashier for Morrisons before moving on to work as an Administration assistant in 2017 and worked within Administration for 6 years.

Chloe has a passion for animals and loves to help them in any way she can. Chloe also loves meeting and talking to new people and learning new skills.