NOAH Celebrates Top NCAH Students at Summer Event
19th July 2024
At the NOAH Summer Event on 18 July 2024 at No. 11 Cavendish Square in London, the top NOAH Certificate of Animal Health (NCAH) students for 2023 were recognised for their achievements.
Overall top student from 2023 was Samantha Wills-Berriman from Norbrook. Second placed student was Emma Sillwood also from Norbrook and third place for the year was shared by Steven Weir from Zoetis and Laura Little from Elanco.
In 2023 a total of 26 students sat the exams, hosted and accredited by Harper Adams University. The NCAH qualification helps ensure that animal medicines representatives can provide accurate and ethical information to prescribers and sellers of animal medicines in compliance with the NOAH Code of Practice for the Promotion of Animal Medicines. NOAH’s Summer Event not only recognised the academic success of these outstanding students but also provided a platform for NOAH members, industry professionals and students to network and share insights about the latest advancements in animal health. The recognition ceremony underscored NOAH’s commitment to promoting high standards of education and professional development in the animal health sector.
Top student Samantha Wills-Berriman said: “I was thrilled to have had the opportunity to complete the NCAH course. The course is well put together and covers many important topics which lay the foundation of the industry we work in, reminding us to be responsible with the products we sell and use”.
Two examinations were held during 2023 in April and October: in the April exam Steven Weir from Zoetis and Laura Little from Elanco came joint first, in second place was Michael Exton from Pharmaq and in third place was Georgia Walker from Zoetis.
For the October exam Samantha Wills-Berriman from Norbrook came first with Emma Sillwood from Norbrook in second place and Rachel Whittaker from Virbac and Stella Hayes from Krka both came joint third place.
Dawn Howard, NOAH Chief Executive expressed her admiration for the students’ achievements, saying, “We are incredibly proud of all our NCAH students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and knowledge in the field of animal health. Their hard work and success reflect the high standards of our programme and the significant contributions they will make to our industry. NOAH continues to support and advocate for excellence in animal health education, and the excellence celebrated at our Summer Event is a testament to the organisation’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of animal health professionals”.
Ned Flaxman, NOAH Chair, also praised the certificate, saying, “The NCAH is a great asset to our industry, providing a solid foundation of knowledge and skills that are crucial for the future of animal health. The excellence displayed by this year’s students is a testament to the quality of education and the bright future ahead for the professionals within NOAH member companies.”
Notes for Editors
NOAH represents the UK animal health industry. Its aim is to promote the benefits of licensed medicines and solutions for the health and welfare of all animals.
For more information contact Jenny George-Town: 07518594525 Email: j.george-town@noah.co.uk
It is a requirement of both NOAH membership and participation in the NOAH Compendium that all companies’ sales representatives involved in the direct technical selling of medicines (other than those on general sale i.e. AVM-GSL medicines) appear on the NCAH register and have taken the NOAH Certificate of Animal Health (NCAH) examination within two years of joining the industry.
For more about the NCAH see http://www.noah.co.uk/about/our-qualification-ncah-course/
For more on NOAH’s Code of Practice for the Promotion of Animal Medicines see https://www.noah.co.uk/focus-areas/promotion-of-animal-medicines/
Photo captions
Photo 1: NCAH top student 2023 Samantha Wills-Berriman
Photo 2: 2023 Top Students left-right, NOAH Chair Ned Flaxman, Samantha Wills-Berriman, Emma Sillwood, Stella Hayes, Georgia Walker, Steven Weir, Laura Little and Donal Murphy from NOAH
About the 2023 NCAH top students:
April examination: top marks and overall joint third place students
Steven Weir from Zoetis
Steven works with Zoetis as an Account Manager for companion animal pharmaceuticals, helping veterinary clinicians all in Kent.
Steven said: “Obtaining the NCAH qualification has meant a great deal to me, on both a professional and personal level. Professionally, it has given me an excellent foundation of knowledge on which to build upon throughout my career in veterinary medicine. The course content provided the kind of detailed insight that allows me to confidently provide the quality and depth of support that my clients have come to expect. Perhaps more importantly, the content of the course was extremely interesting! Expertly delivered by passionate lecturers that made the process all the more engaging, the NCAH qualification was an absolute delight to take part in and I was equally delighted and honoured to be part of NOAH’s celebrations”.
Laura Little from Elanco
Laura works as a Brand Manager at Elanco Animal Health and completed the NCAH last year whilst working in Elanco’s sales team. Laura started at Elanco after completing a placement year as part of her degree from Harper Adams University in animal behaviour, and in her current role enjoy both marketing strategy and insights, as well as animal health.
April examination: second highest mark
Michael Exton from Pharmaq
Michael works at Pharmaq, part of Zoetis, where he plays a crucial role in advancing the aquaculture industry. Pharmaq is renowned for its innovative vaccines and therapeutants, designed to support the health and sustainability of aquatic animals such as the Atlantic Salmon.
With a background and deep commitment to improving aquatic animal health, Michael leverages his expertise to ensure the development and delivery of solutions that meet the unique needs of the aquaculture sector. His work not only contributes to the well-being of aquatic species but also supports the industry’s efforts to provide safe and sustainable seafood to the global market.
Michael said: “Undertaking the NCAH has enabled me to understand and facilitate veterinary medicines to the aquaculture industry whilst keeping to the NOAH Code of Practice”.
April examination: third highest mark
Georgia Walker from Zoetis
Georgia’s interest in the industry started at a young age: this developed into part time employment working Saturday mornings on the veterinary reception at the age of 15. Georgia studied bio veterinary science at Hartpury College as soon and once qualified she secured a job at a veterinary wholesaler. Georgia then joined Zoetis in early 2021.
Georgia is an an account manager covering the midlands area, her role is within the Zoetis companion animal side of the business. Here she works with products that range from monoclonal antibodies for dermatology and osteoarthritis to parasiticides and diagnostic technology.
Georgia said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the lecture days for this exam and the professors presenting the lectures were engaging and knowledgeable. Harper Adams kept everyone well fuelled during the sessions, and it was well organised and ran to time. I was impressed with every aspect of the course, it was an intense 3 days and I was thrilled to have passed the exam and receive the invite for the NOAH Summer Event”.
October Examination: top mark and overall first placed student
Samantha Wills-Berriman from Norbrook
Sam joined Norbrook Laboratories as a Veterinary Account Manager in June 2022 and is responsible for the East Midlands/East Anglia Region, looking after companion animal, farm animal and equine portfolios. Sam obtained a Masters in Science in Human, Animal and Ecosystem Health from Onderstepoort, Faculty of Veterinary Science in Pretoria, South Africa and worked in the veterinary industry for 7 years before relocating to the UK.
Sam was thrilled to have had the opportunity to complete the NCAH course. She said: The course is well put together and covers many important topics which lay the foundation of the industry we work in, reminding us to be responsible with the products we sell and use. It allows us to know and understand what the legislation and regulations entail and what we want to holistically achieve in the industry, through the support of NOAH and other regulatory bodies.
“It is important for representatives of pharmaceutical companies involved in selling animal medicines to undergo thorough training and possess sufficient legal, veterinary and technical knowledge to present information on the company’s products in an accurate and responsible manner which is consistent with the NOAH Code of Practice”.
October examination: second highest mark and overall second place student
Emma Sillwood from Norbrook
Emma joined Norbrook Laboratories as a Marketing Assistant in January 2023, assisting with marketing both farm and companion animal products. She has previously worked in practice, so she has loved bringing her background knowledge to her role and taking on a new challenge!
Emma loves learning and gaining new qualifications, so really enjoyed the NCAH course, and was delighted to have achieved the certificate. She said: “The course has given me lots of knowledge of the NOAH Code of Practice, which is so important when creating new marketing materials and campaigns. The tutors and the resources helped me endlessly, and I was so happy to be one of the top students!
October examination: joint third highest mark
Rachel Whittaker from Virbac
Rachel is a companion animal territory manager based in the north east working at Virbac and has been in the industry for over a decade now in varying roles working with both products and services. Rachel said: “The NOAH qualification was incredibly interesting, with a great cohort of tutors, resources and fellow classmates. The concepts touched upon in the course continue to assist me in my day-day role”.
Stella Hayes from Krka
Stella is an account manager for Krka covering the north of the UK for both small animal & farm animal pharmaceutical sales & practice support. Before joining Krka over 2 years ago Stella had had other sales roles, but notably she used to be a veterinary nurse. Stella qualified in 2012 after starting her nursing career in 2008 & completing her RVN training in South Wales focussing on small animal work and was even on the TV once as part of the PDSA’s Channel 4 program ‘The People’s Vet’.
Stella said: “The NOAH NCAH course & exam is absolutely vital for people working in this industry. Even as a qualified nurse there were things I didn’t know or had forgotten, so it really highlights the need for ongoing training & support for staff working in this specific field so they can accurately support veterinary practices & keep up to date with the ever changing landscape of veterinary medicine. The course run by HAU was invaluable, very thorough & delivered really well which contributed to my success”.