Meet our Trustees: Nick Park

Why did you choose to volunteer for Blue Cross?

When I was first approached about the role I was intrigued about what working as a Trustee for an animal charity would be like. So far it has been fascinating and really rewarding, and I hope I can continue to contribute positively to the organisation and its aims.

What are your duties in your role as a Blue Cross Trustee?

I sit on two committees, Sedco and Audit, and attend quarterly Board meetings where I try to bring my veterinary and business knowledge to help advise on clinical matters and commercial issues. I also regularly attend development days for Blue Cross employees.

What is your professional background?

I qualified as a vet from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 1996 and worked in a large mixed practice in Somerset for the first three years of my working life, predominantly looking after dairy cattle.

In 1999 I joined the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition where I looked after the health of the pets at this amazing facility. My wife and I then bought our first practice in 2002 in the East Midlands and have worked together ever since, building our group up to six small animal practices over the years. I have also enjoyed an active role in the St Francis veterinary buying group over the past 10 years.

How long have you been a Trustee?

I started in 2018 and have thoroughly enjoyed my involvement with Blue Cross.

What do you enjoy most about being a Blue Cross Trustee?

So far I’ve enjoyed interacting with the many and varied people who make up the team at Blue Cross and work incredibly hard to help the charity achieve its aims of helping so many pets and their owners across the country.

Tell us about your own pets!

I have a five-month-old dalmatian. I used to be a typical vet with two black Labradors but since we lost my old girl a few years ago we have all (including my other Lab) completely fallen for Winnie, a naughty, scruffy, noisy miniature wire-haired daschund who rules the house, the garden and in fact the whole village! We also have ponies and chickens to keep us busy.