Branch
Role

Mike Bevan BVSc, MRCVS
Director and Large Animal Vet
Mike, originally from Ireland, qualified from Liverpool University in 1983 and worked in a mixed practice before setting off travelling the world with his now wife Mandy, also a vet here at Lanes. Mike arrived in Lancashire in 1991 and bought into Dimples Lane Vets in 1992, gradually specialising in farm animal work.
Since the merger of Dimples Lane Vets and Pearson, Thompson and Callery in 2007, Mike became a director of Lanes. Mike has a special interest in infectious diseases including, Johnes, BVD and is our mastitis guru! Mike also created our Dairy Health Club.
Fun fact: Mike is a trained pilot! …. Of microlights

Janet Horsfield BVSc, CertCHP, DBR, MRCVS
Director and Large Animal Vet
Janet qualified from Liverpool University in 1996 and worked in a mixed practice after qualifying. Janet completed her Certificate in Ruminant Health and Production (CertCHP) and gained her Diploma in Bovine Reproduction (DBR) at Liverpool University. In 2001, Janet moved back up North to her roots and has worked in practice ever since, except for a short stint back at Liverpool Uni teaching students.
Since starting at Lanes in 2011, Janet has become one of the Directors of the company. Janet has a special interest in fertility and flock health. She has also set up our Flock Health Club and is continually working to develop the club.
Fun fact: Janet ran away with the circus! (...but only very briefly one summer... a very long time ago!)

Emmie Bland MA VetMB MRCVS
Director and Large Animal Vet
Emmie qualified from Cambridge University in 2002 and had an immediate interest in farm animal practice. In 2008, Emmie set up Beacon Farm Vets and has enjoyed watching it thrive ever since. Emmie has a specific interest in herd and flock preventative health.
After 10 years in business, Beacon Farm Vets joined Lanes Vets and Emmie bought into Lanes and is now one of the company’s directors.
Fun fact: Emmie is married to a dairy farmer and even has a cow named after her, known as ‘Emmie Cow’ to her three children!

Tom Lyons VetMB, MA, DBR, MRCVS
Large Animal Vet
Tom qualified from Cambridge University in 2007 as a mature student having already completed a degree in Natural Sciences. Tom stayed in Cambridge to complete an internship in the farm and equine department before moving to a mixed practice on the Cheshire/Staffordshire border.
Since working at Lanes, Tom has developed a keen interest in bovine reproduction and has completed his Diploma in Bovine Reproduction (DBR) at Liverpool University. Tom is also our farm animal clinical manager.
Fun fact: Tom competed in diving and even dived against Tom Daley’s diving partner!

Harry Collas BVMedSci (Hons) BVM BVS MRCVS
Large Animal Vet
Harry, our resident Londoner, qualified from the University of Nottingham in 2014 and decided early on in his career than farm animal work was for him. Harry grew up in Kensal Rise in London and when he qualified Harry went over to New Zealand to work for two years where he became a DairyNZ In Calf Advisor, before returning in 2017 and moving up North to work here at Lanes.
Since working at Lanes, Harry has developed a keen interest in lameness and mastitis (he’s our lameness guru!) and can deliver DairyCo Mastitis Control Plans and is also an AHDB Mobility Mentor. Harry also helps Mike with the Dairy Health Club and is working on developing the club.

Lora Fryars BVSc MRCVS
Large Animal Vet
Lora started at Lanes as a new graduate vet in 2016 after qualifying from Liverpool University receiving the farm animal clinical award on graduation. In the same year Lora returned to her home county and also won the national ‘Dairy industry vet of the future award’. Lora grew up on her family’s dairy farm in Singleton and helps on the family’s shoot.
Since working at Lanes, Lora worked as a mixed vet working on farm animal and at our Poulton branch one day a week. Lora has gone on to develop an interest in farm animal work, and now only works on farm animal, and is especially interested in ruminant nutrition - she is currently completing her Masters in Ruminant Nutrition.

Simon Wilson BVSc MRCVS
Large Animal Vet
Simon qualified from Bristol University in 2003 and also decided early on in his career that he wanted to become a farm vet. Simon joined the team at Beacon Farm Vets originally as a locum to cover Emmie's maternity leave. He proved to be such a valuable member of the team that he became a permanent fixture after Beacon Farm Vet's joined Lanes.
Since joining Lanes, Simon has developed his interest in fertility and health planning.
Fun fact: Simon juggles vet work with running his family beef and sheep farm and his young family.

Olivia Cartmell BVSc MRCVS
Large Animal Vet
Liv qualified in 2012 after completing her degree at Liverpool University. Liv decided that farm work was to be her forte very early in her career (in fact it was whilst seeing practice with us as a student!) She joined BFV on qualifying in 2012.
Since joining the practice, Liv has developed specific interests in herd health planning and fertility.
Fun fact: Liv’s favourite type of music is heavy metal!

Jo Curwen
Farm Animal Head Receptionist
Jo joined Lanes Farm Vets in January 2015 after completing two years at Myerscough College studying a Level 3 Diploma in Animal Management. Jo spent a lot of her childhood on the family beef and sheep farm in Barnacre with her grandparents.
Since working at Lanes, Jo has completed a Level 3 Diploma in Customer Service and is part of our events committee organising our annual events and, of course, the local agricultural shows. Jo completed her first aid training in 2018 and also works alongside Tilly doing the company’s marketing.
Fun fact: Jo can do the worm!

Helen Whitaker SQP
Farm Animal Receptionist & Vet Tech
Helen joined Lanes Farm Vets in January 2011 after returning to the UK from Lanzarote where she worked in an animal sanctuary for 12 years. Helen grew up on the family dairy, beef and sheep farm in Bay Horse and has had a passion for animals ever since.
Since working at Lanes Vets helen has progressed from farm receptionist to running the Vet Tech service and has qualified as an SQP (Suitably Qualified Person) which means she can dispense certain medicines and advise on worming protocols. She has also completed her training to become a CSO (Certification Support Officer) meaning she can export animal biproducts.
Fun fact: Helen has 33 tattoos and had her last tattoo done in Bangkok.

Helen Woodruff
Small Animal Reception Team Leader
Helen, known as Tilly on farm, started working at Lanes in January 2018 and works on farm animal reception on a Wednesday. Tilly grew up on her family’s dairy farm in Cockerham and before working at Lanes she owned her own beauty salon.
Since working at Lanes, Tilly has been promoted to Reception Team Leader and also helps out on farm reception alongside her other roles of SA Reception Team Leader and marketing with Jo.
Fun Fact: Tilly has a pet tortoise called George.

Francesca McCormick
Beacon Branch Manager
Fran joined the Beacon Farm Vets team in 2010 and has become office manager and a vital part of the team. Fran grew up in Catterall and has stuck to her roots and now lives in Great Eccleston with her family.
Since working at the practice, Fran has developed her skills and knowledge on client service. She has also been promoted to office manager and organises the vets at the branch for their daily schedules.

Hilary Gregory
Receptionist
Hilary works at the Beacon branch on Monday and covers for holidays. Hilary lives locally with her husband, Ken, and has a small flock of sheep as well as geese and horses too, as well as her Collie, Tess.

Rebecca Hodgson
Weekend Reception
Rebecca started working at Lanes in 2012 after completing many work experience placements here. Rebecca grew up in Galgate and has been involved in the dairy industry for a number of years now. Rebecca is currently in the middle of her vet studies at Liverpool University and has already completed a degree in Agriculture and Livestock Science.
Fun fact: Rebecca has her own herd of Holstein heifers that she shows at local and national shows.

Fiona Wallbank
Aux Nurse
Fiona started working at Lanes in October 2018 and works on reception. Fiona lives on her family’s dairy farm in Longridge and is also at The City of Liverpool College completing an access to higher education course and is hoping to start her vet training in 2020.
Since working at Lanes, Fiona has become an integral part of both the farm animal and small animal teams, helping out on both receptions and also going out on farm TB testing.
Fun fact: Fiona has her own brood of chickens including Dutch Crested and Silky Bantams and is keen to breed from them.