I will be stepping down as Chairman in November 2011, when my term of office comes to an end. I am delighted however that I will still be involved with the Foundation during my tenure as BVA President, as the position is granted a place as a trustee.
I was appointed as a trustee in 1998 and elected Chairman in 2006. One of the projects which I am really proud that we supported during my tenure is the funding of four-year lectureships at the universities of Bristol, Glasgow and Liverpool in 2004. These were all continued by the Universities after our funding ceased and I really believe that they have had a positive effect on strengthening the welfare element of the veterinary curriculum.

We are a small charity trying to accomplish big things so there are challenges every year as we stretch our limited resources to achieve our objectives. The main challenge in 2010 was financial and we saw a fall in general donations. We were fortunate that this was off set by an increase in legacies but we cannot take these for granted and in 2011 and beyond we will be looking for ways to diversify our income sources. 

Trustees Nicky Paull and Andrew Trawford completed their terms of office in 2010 and we will miss their contributions. We were delighted to welcome Elaine Watson, Dean of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh as a new trustee. The BVA AWF could not do any of its work without the support of generous donors and it is fitting that my final words are a thank you to them. 

Carl Padgett
BVA AWF Chairman of Trustees