Leadership Team

Our leadership team brings a wealth of expertise, passion, and dedication to every aspect of animal care. With a deep commitment to both veterinary excellence and our local community, our leaders guide the clinic with a clear vision focused on innovation, compassionate care, and continuous improvement.

MeEt our LEadership Team

Brendan James

General Manager of Vet Services Hawke’s Bay 

Brendan joined the Vet Services Team in 2011 as our Business Manager. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant, is passionate about Hawkes Bay, animals and the rural sector and has been often referred to as a wannabe farmer. He really enjoys the veterinary industry and all of the challenges that come with it.

In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife Kelly, son Hamish and daughter Holly. A self-confessed sports nut, BJ as he is more commonly known spends as much time as he can on the tennis court, golf course and mountain bike trails. He has also completed two half iron-mans and the jury is out on whether there will be any more! BJ also takes more than a passing interest in the thoroughbred industry.

Camille Flack

Production Animal Veterinarian Group Leader 

After completing her Veterinary Degree at Massey University, Camille started work in 2004 in Dannevirke. The rest of the world beckoned and she went off to work overseas, first in Australia and then in the UK. In 2007 she returned to NZ working in the Rangitikei region. Still keen to broaden her horizons and experience, she moved to the South Island to work in Cheviot. Whilst here she enjoyed working with a diverse range of sheep breeds in some amazing parts of the countryside.  

In 2014 she headed north and started work at Vet Services Hawkes Bay. Here at Vet Services Camille enjoys working together with farmers to achieve the best out of their animals and farm production systems. Outside of work Camille spends time on her farm and enjoying the outdoors with her partner and son.

Caroline Robertson

Companion Animal Veterinarian Group Leader

Caroline has been with our Waipukurau team since 1985. She is primarily involved in companion animal medicine and surgery but has a specialist interest in production animals due to her involvement with her own farming operations.   

Caroline is the immediate past President and Chair for the New Zealand Veterinary Association. And has been a key figure in the Association which is committed to safeguarding the high skills, continuing the development and ethical standards of the New Zealand veterinary profession.   

When not travelling to Wellington or working at Vet Services, she’s on the family farm at Omakere in coastal Central Hawke’s Bay.

Arron Scoble

Retail Group Manager

Arron is the Vet Services Hawke’s Bay retail group manager where he works closely with production animal clients, vet staff and supplier companies. He re-joined Vet Services in February 2016 after previously working for Vet Services in Hastings in the early 2000’s. 

In between this time, he primarily worked in the rural banking sector after starting his career in a farm merchandise store in Waipukurau. Outside of work he enjoys time with family, Wednesday night tennis and is an avid sports follower.

Jess Nielson

Operation & Administration Group Manager

Jess is one of our most experienced Vet Nurses who  has been with Vet Services since 2004. 

Over the years her position has developed and she is now our Head Nurse, Business Development and Small Animal Clinic Coordinator. 

Though not handling the day to day care of our patients as much these days, Jess’s role involves working across our five clinics helping with business development, mentoring our nursing team, and ensuring you and your pets have the best experience when visiting our clinic.

In her spare time, Jess enjoys spending time with her family and pets, and making the most of the Hawkes Bay sun and beach.

Liz Cameron

Financial Controller

 

Louise Humphreys

Business Services Manager 

Louise joined the Vet Services Team as our Business Services Manager in 2022. With a background in Accounting & Rural Banking the job held lots of appeal to Louise as it combined two of her favourite things, working with animals and numbers.

Louise enjoys being part of a large, diverse team who have a lot of fun. As an added bonus, she learns something new every day from working with such highly skilled people.

In her spare time, you’ll find Louise on farm where her family  breed the most gorgeous Simmental Cows and hanging out with Hazel Humphreys, her Jack Russell.

Richard McKenzie

Equine Veterinarian Group Leader

Richard originally joined the Vet Services Team in 1989 arriving for a three-month locum and staying for three years.  

He spent four years abroad working in mixed bred and equine practices across the UK returning to our Hastings Clinic with a cemented interest in Equine work. 90% of Richards day is now involved with horses of all sizes and disciplines. He has interests in performance horses, equine lameness, radiography and reproduction.   

Outside of work his kids, partner and thoroughbred horses take up most of his time but enjoys swimming, fishing, and a bit of armchair critiquing for rugby and racing when he gets the chance.