Dr Peter Holland

As the Director of Veterinary Partnerships Pete is responsible for the creation and maintenance of the network of partners that provide both clinical and non-clinical training for the veterinary students. This network supports the placement of students from year one pre-clinical animal husbandry, through to clinical rotations, and finally year 5 placements which can be tailored to the students' species preferences and career aspirations. The partner network and its members provide invaluable training to ensure that upon completion of the course the UCLan veterinary graduate can meet demands that are faced on Day 1 as a new graduate.

As the vet school matures and the profession continues to respond to a constantly changing landscape, Pete is responsible to ensure that the network meets the needs of not only the training requirement for the students, but also to support partners so that they are well equipped to meet the demands that are involved in providing the best possible education for students, whilst also upskilling partner stakeholders, thereby providing continued nourishment and stakeholder engagement.

Pete is local to Preston, but completed his veterinary training in London at the Royal Veterinary College, graduating in 2001. From there he took a role as a veterinary assistant in a large mixed animal practice on the outskirts of Preston. He spent 8 years in practice where he spent the majority of his time as an ambulatory equine vet, but also provided veterinary care for some of the many dairy farms of Lancashire.

Whilst in practice Pete also was a member of the Army Reserve and following completion of officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst was commissioned as a Veterinary Officer. In the summer of 2009, Pete completed a tour in Helmand Province Afghanistan, where he provided veterinary care for the military working dogs of the British Army. In addition to this Pete was responsible for providing advice and expertise with regards zoonotic risk in the region, but also supported "hearts & minds" operations whereby Pete would accompany infantry patrols and provide veterinary care to the livestock of Afghan farmers and their families.

From practice, Pete moved into the veterinary pharmaceutical industry where he spent 12 years in various roles and functions developing a diverse network across practice, regulatory bodies, veterinary pharmaceutical suppliers, and other key stakeholders that support the profession; before joining the UCLan School of Veterinary Medicine in 2021.