The Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority has announced the appointment of Michael Seals MBE to the role of chair. 

He will take up the post following the AMTRA council and board meeting in London on March 1.

An experienced and well-respected figure in the animal health and welfare sector, Mr Seals succeeds Phil Sketchley as independent Chair following his retirement after forty-eight years in the industry, serving as AMTRA Council Chair since 2014.

“My intention is to take a proactive approach, working with the Board and Council to review AMTRA’s current work and identify opportunities for the future, adapting to changes and helping to defend and deliver AMTRA’s role within the sector,” said Mr Seals.

Bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience within the Government and industry, as well as from a consumer level, Mr Seals intends to address the market needs for the future, including the introduction of new technologies and enhanced CPD opportunities.

Mr Seals said: “The sector is in a period of adjustment, including Defra, VMD and across the entire sector, and there are many opportunities for us to evolve and deliver on our appetite to drive change, meeting the demands of our RAMAs, their employees and the industry, as well as animal owners.

“As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, AMTRA has many strengths that it needs to harness and develop to help keep driving this change and to support the work, training opportunities and understanding of all AMTRA RAMAs across all species.”

A livestock and arable farmer in south Derbyshire, Mr Seals recently ended a ten-year term in Defra as Chair of the Animal Health & Welfare Board England, and as the lead in the development of the Animal Health & Welfare Pathway. 

He has experience as Chair in a number of other roles including the not-for-profit National Fallen Stock Company, and is also the owner of a sports horse show jumping team, with breeding, training and livery facilities.

“We’re excited to be working with Michael, taking a fresh look at our priorities and strategies, as Phil Sketchley steps down from the role after over 21 years’ service as a board member, the past seven years as Chair,” added AMTRA secretary general Stephen Dawson.

Mr Seals will be assisted by John Blackwell, who was elected to the position of vice-chair at AMTRA’s December 2021 board and council meeting.

Mr Blackwell, an experienced qualified veterinary surgeon, has been a member of the AMTRA board since 2000, and takes over from Peter Rudman who has stepped down after 16 years in the position.