Top students recognised at NOAH’s annual Members’ Day
17th June 2019
NOAH’s third annual Members Day took place at Westminster Boating Base in London on 12 June, where the top NOAH Certificate of Animal Health (NCAH) students for 2018 were rewarded for their achievements. The NCAH qualification helps ensure that animal medicines representatives are able to 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.
Examinations were held at Harper Adams University in 2018, with 33 students taking the exam during that year. Overall first place went to Emily Wilton from Nimrod Veterinary Products, second place to Cara Watson from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and third place was Catherine Watkins from Virbac.
All three were present at the Members Day to accept their awards from NOAH chair Jamie Brannan.
Three examination sessions were held during the year: for the May exam Victoria Chadwick from MSD Animal Health came first with Kerry Gorham from Elanco Animal Health in second place.
In the July exam Emily Wilton from Nimrod Veterinary Products came first with Cara Watson from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health in second place.
For the September exam first place went to Catherine Watkins from Virbac and second place went to Adam Goode also from Virbac.
Donal Murphy, Head of Technical and Regulatory Affairs at NOAH said that the NCAH demonstrates the expertise within the industry. He explained: “The qualification provides a solid background in animal physiology, immunology and pharmacology, nutrition and animal disease control, as well as a full knowledge of the legal framework in which licensed veterinary medicines are regulated, promoted and sold.
“The NCAH is written into the rules for NOAH company membership and is a requirement of the NOAH Code of Practice for the Promotion of Animal Medicines. It is formally academically accredited by Harper Adams University, who also host both the training courses and examinations,” he added.
Notes for Editors
The National Office of Animal Health represents the UK animal health industry. Its aim is to promote the benefits of safe, effective, quality products and services for the health and welfare of all animals.
For more information contact Donal Murphy or Jenny George-Town: 020 8367 3131. 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/services/ncah-qualification/
For more on NOAH’s Code of Practice for the Promotion of Animal Medicines see https://www.noah.co.uk/services/our-code-of-practice/
About the 2018 NCAH top students:
May examination
Vicky Chadwick from MSD Animal Health
Vicky is an RVN who began working in practice in 1998, she worked across a variety of small animal and mixed practices during her nursing career. In June 2016 Vicky joined MSD as a practice Development manager within their Reach team.
Vicky is a mother to three children aged 3-14 years and Dot the Leopard Gecko. In her spare time she is an aerialist and also enjoys practising Yoga.
Vicky thoroughly enjoyed studying for the NCAH qualification and greatly appreciates the knowledge gained. She says that it has provided her with a great insight and confident understanding of the legal framework surrounding the animal health industry.
Kerry Gorham from Elanco Animal Health
Growing up around animals meant Kerry always had an interest in working in the veterinary industry, but she knew early on that she didn’t want to work in veterinary practice. As a result, Kerry studied for an honours degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Harper Adams University.
During her degree, Kerry undertook a placement year working for Elanco Animal Health in the marketing team. It was in this role that she was given the opportunity to gain her first experience in sales.
After graduating from her degree with a First, Kerry returned to Elanco where she had the opportunity to live around the country before moving back to her home county of Dorset to work as a territory manager.
Kerry loves her job and is often accompanied to work by her Cockapoo, Digby. He also keeps her busy outside of work; Kerry enjoys going on long dog walks in the countryside with friends, as well as playing netball.
July examination
Emily Wilton from Nimrod Veterinary Products
Emily has worked within the veterinary pharmaceutical industry for the past 18 months as a Territory Sales Manager for Nimrod Veterinary Products Ltd. Nimrod specialise in medicines and products for farm animals, equine and poultry.
Emily’s role covers the West Midlands and Wales regional areas, managing the farm and equine accounts, she also works with game-bird vets, an area in which she has a personal interest. Emily’s role is varied and involves meetings with veterinary surgeons and farmers, maintaining equipment they have supplied to them, delivering vet CPD, as well as attending numerous conferences.
Emily appreciates working for a small company founded and run by David Renney, a veterinary surgeon. Emily receives one-to-one training and support directly from David, which enables her to benefit from his vast knowledge and experience as well as his encouragement to take the NCAH.
Before working for Nimrod, Emily spent 9 years lecturing in Equine and Animal Management at Hartpury College, specialising in special educational needs and challenging behaviours in addition to teaching higher levels. Previously, she ran her own business as a qualified animal therapist. Emily has a BSc (hons) Equine Science and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.
Outside of work, Emily is a keen country girl, spending winter months working her 2 Labradors and, in the summer, riding her horse, she is also a keen tennis player and enjoys travelling and culture.
Emily says that achieving the NCAH allows the recognition of a high level of knowledge and understanding of the industry, validating and standardising sales representatives.
Cara Watson from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
Cara graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a degree in Genetics in 2016, and almost immediately entered the Veterinary Pharmaceutical Industry as a Territory Representative in the Companion Animal team. Initially she worked for Merial, which has since become Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health.
Cara is now the Territory Manager for Cumbria/North West and is passionate about animal health and conservation and enjoys lovely walks in the Lake District with her Golden Retriever, Hennie.
September examination
Catherine Watkins from Virbac
Catherine works for Virbac Animal Health as a Companion Animal Pharmaceutical Territory Manager. Catherine’s main roles within the company are looking after and supporting veterinary practices, ensuring that they are happy with the products and the associated services that they offer alongside. Catherine also discusses new products and ensures vets are aware of Virbac’s role in pioneering research and development. Although she is responsible for all the companion animal pharmaceutical products, she also discusses their new pet food range, referring vets to their Pet Food Territory Managers to discuss clinical benefits in more detail.
Outside of Virbac, Catherine enjoys horse riding and likes to keep up to date with the eventing season, dog walking and visiting National Trusts.
Having passed the NCAH exam Catherine feels much more confident with the legal aspects of the industry and thinks it is something that all those working in the industry should consider in order to give the gold standard of customer and animal care.
Adam Goode from Virbac
Adam is currently a Territory Manager for Virbac, promoting their extensive range of companion animal products directly to vets in the east midlands. Adam joined the company in June 2017 after working for nearly 4 years in Pest Control. Prior to this he graduated from the University of Dundee with a BSc (hons) in Zoology.
The NCAH qualification presented a great opportunity to further Adam’s animal health knowledge and reaffirmed his responsibilities as a representative of Virbac and the wider industry.