Meet the Team
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Derek Armstrong |
Veterinary Programme Manager |
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Derek joined the Veterinary Department of the Meat and Livestock Commission in February 1998 and has been the BPEX Veterinary Programme Manager since April 2009. Derek graduated as a veterinary surgeon in Dublin in 1983 and is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. He was President of the Pig Veterinary Society, 2008-09 and Senior Vice President 2009-10 and is also a member of the board of the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA). Prior to joining MLC Derek worked in veterinary research at the Veterinary Research Laboratories in Northern Ireland and in general veterinary practice in Ireland and New Zealand.
Tel: 0247 647 8795
Email: derek.armstrong@bpex.org.uk |
Helen Clarke
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KT Manager for the north of England |
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Helen graduated from the University of Leeds with a BSc in Zoology in 2007. She then continued at Leeds, studying for a Masters degree in the behaviours of different pig genotypes. This involved analysis of handling strategies commonly used on pig units and exploring the amendments that can be made to existing handling facilities and routines. Helen conducted this work at the Pig Development Centre (Leeds site), where she continued to work as a Research Technician for several months. She then worked on a 1000 sow breeding unit in Warwickshire, before joining BPEX in September 2009 as Knowledge Transfer Manager for the Northern region.
Tel: 07973 701 369
Email: helen.clarke@bpex.org.uk |
Angela Cliff
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AI Programme Manager and KT Manager for central England |
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Angela graduated in 1979 from Newcastle University after studying Agriculture and then worked in practical pig production for 10 years, before going to the University of Aberdeen to take a masters degree in pig production with Dr Peter English. On leaving Aberdeen she specialised in AI and reproduction, working for both PIC and JSR Genetics. Angela joined BPEX in January 2006 as the AI Programme Manager and is involved with the establishment of the BPEX Standard for AI Centres and promoting ‘best practice’ routines for breeding herd management. Angela is also the KT Manager for the Midlands.
Tel: 07967 788 484
Email: angela.cliff@bpex.org.uk |
Miriam Drewett
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Technology Translator
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Miriam graduated from Harper Adams University College in 2005 with a BSc in Agriculture with Animal Science, this included an industrial placement year which was spent at W & H Marriage & Sons, an animal feed and flour mill. Miriam joined BPEX as Pig Technology Translator in 2005, her role involves co-ordinating KT activities and outputs and taking the work coming out of research programmes and turning it into something that can be effectively and easily applied on commercial pig farms.
Tel: 0247 647 8794
Email: miriam.drewett@bpex.org.uk |
Charlotte Evans |
Veterinary Projects Manager |
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Charlotte graduated from the University of Warwick with a BSc in Biological Sciences. She then worked on a 1000 sow breeding unit before owning her own herd of pigs and studying for a PhD in infectious disease epidemiology. The PhD research was carried out at the University of Warwick and investigated the epidemiology of infectious diseases in pigs, their impact on production and possible control and elimination strategies. Charlotte joined BPEX in August 2009 as the Veterinary Projects Manager and works with Derek Armstrong on health issues. Her role is to manage BPEX funded pig health projects, including the regional health initiative programmes.
Tel: 0247 647 8796
Email: charlotte.evans@bpex.org.uk |
Tess Howe
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Skills Development Manager |
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Tess grew up on a farm in East Yorkshire and prior to joining BPEX spent seven years working for the Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) liaising with Government, the industry and retailers. Her role involved regular visits to abattoirs and livestock markets throughout the UK and internationally providing practical advice and trouble shooting. Prior to the HSA, Tess was on the Unigate Management Trainee Scheme based at the Malton Bacon Factory where she worked in the pig buying department. She Joined BPEX in January 2007 as the Skills Development Manager and is the first point of contact for any queries regarding training, in particular the Certificates of Competence. Tess is also involved with the PIPR scheme and is currently helping identify suitable courses for PIPR accreditation.
Tel: 07779 321 078
Email: tess.howe@bpex.org.uk
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Nigel Penlington
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Environment specialist |
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After graduating from Harper Adams with a degree in Agricultural Engineering, Nigel worked on various farms including spending three years in Saudi Arabia where he progressed to become farm manager, responsible for all aspects of the operation including a contracting and produce sales.
He completed an MSc in Soil and Water Engineering from Cranfield University on his return to the UK. After a spell with a drainage and utility contracting company, he joined ADAS as a Mechanisation Consultant. His primary areas of work included farm waste management systems, environmental protection, odours and land restoration. Nigel joined BPEX in 2004 specialising in environmental issues affecting the UK pig industry and production technology.
He represents BPEX as a stakeholder representative in a number of areas including nitrates and diffuse water pollution. IIPPC, farm waste and water resources, carbon footprinting and energy use.
Tel: 0247 647 8797
Email: nigel.penlington@bpex.org.uk |
Lis Ravn |
KT Manager for the north of England |
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Lis came to the UK in 2004 from Denmark, where her family run a pig unit. Lis has a BSc in Agricultural Science from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen. Subsequently she studied at the University of Newcastle, working as a research assistant with Professor Sandra Edwards’ team and completing her MSc on postnatal muscle development in pigs and subsequent meat quality. Lis joined the BPEX KT Team in June 2006 and is the regional KT Manager for Northern England.
Tel: 07891 656 784
Email: lisbeth.ravn@bpex.org.uk |
Colin Stone |
KT Manager for the east of England |
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Having gained ANCA Berkshire College of Agriculture 1978 Colin moved to a position of working farm manager based just north of Reading Berkshire with a number of farm enterprises that included arable, dairy, beef, outdoor pigs and a poultry unit with farm shop. Following a number of livestock challenges to the industry, that included BSE and Salmonella, he became self employed managing a 300 outdoor sow unit to 30 kg. More recently Colin was based near Bury St Edmunds managing up to four outdoor units totaling 2700 sows, along with various contract farms to 100 kg and was a Director of The East of England Pig Training Group
Tel: 07816941223
Email: colin.stone@bpex.org.uk |
Helen Thoday
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KT Manager for the south of England |
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Helen has a degree in Agriculture and Animal Physiology from Harper Adams University College. On graduating she worked on a 500 sow Newsham Multiplication unit in the West Midlands, as the Service House Manager, prior to joining Allied Grain (South) Ltd as the Laboratory and Quality Control Manager. Helen worked for PIC for four years, initially working at the AI stud GTC South and latterly as the AI Services Manager and Health Coordinator for PIC in the UK. Helen joined the BPEX KT Team in August 2006 and is the KT Manager for Southern England.
Tel: 07973 701 202
Email: helen.thoday@bpex.org.uk |
Mike Varley |
Head of KT R&D |
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Dr Mike Varley is the Head of Knowledge Transfer, Research and Development.
Before joining BPEX Mike was working as an independent consultant with his own company and before that he was with NuTec UK and then SCA Nutrition, both parts of Provimi.
He also has many years’ experience working at a number of different universities.
Mike's
academic and commercial roles have provided the opportunity to travel widely and develop detailed knowledge of pig meat production across the world including visits to North America, Australia, New Zealand, China, Indonesia, Taiwan, Korea, Japan Thailand, Malaysia, South America and throughout Europe.
Tel: 0247 647 8801
Email: mike.varley@bpex.org.uk |