The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Mark Bowen as Chair of its Veterinary Advisory Committee (VAC) for a four-year term. He has succeeded Professor Matthew Allen who will remain as a member until the end of 2027 before retiring from the VAC. A brief biography is shown below.

In addition, the VAC has welcomed three new members: Katie Byam-Cook, Pat Harris and Roger Smith.Their biographies appear below.

Mark Bowen BVetMed, PhD, DipACVIM, PFHEA, FRCVS

Mark has built a successful career in veterinary academia and research, beginning at the Royal Veterinary College as an HBLB Resident in Equine Cardiothoracic Medicine before undertaking an HBLB Training Scholarship and PhD in equine cardiology. He has since driven innovation in veterinary education and assessment across the profession including as Professor at the University of Nottingham. He was president of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) and trustee of the Horse Trust. He founded a specialist equine medicine consultancy providing clinical care across the UK, and now serves as Director of Education for the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS). 

In his new role as Chair of the HBLB Veterinary Advisory Committee, Mark is focused on strengthening the connection between scientific research and the racing industry, driving a clearer understanding of what that research can deliver for Thoroughbred health and welfare across every stage of life.

Katie Byam-Cook BVSc Cert ES (Orth) MRCVS

A key member of the BHA’s veterinary, welfare and integrity team, Katie has extensive experience in equine orthopaedics, peer-reviewed research, and senior welfare governance, with proven expertise in ethical review, post-mortem surveillance, and evidence-based welfare policy within a regulated research environment.  Katie’s particular interests include preventative medicine, equine mental welfare, the development of non-animal research methodologies and the application of research to improve horse welfare.

Katie currently chairs the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB) at the BHA Centre for Racehorse Studies and will be joining the BVA Ethics and Welfare Advisory Panel this September.

A veterinary graduate of Bristol University, Katie enjoyed academic residencies at the Universities of Liverpool and of Cambridge, sparking a life-long interest in clinical research relevant to the Thoroughbred.

Pat Harris MA VetMB PhD DipECVCN MRCVS, RCVS specialist Veterinary Clinical Nutrition (equine)

A highly respected European specialist in veterinary and comparative nutrition, Pat’s career has combined academic research and clinical diagnostics with a specialism in equine nutrition. Pat joined the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition (now Waltham Petcare Science Institute) in 1995. As Director of Science for Mars Horsecare and Head of the WALTHAM™ Equine Studies Group until Spring 2025, she was responsible for their equine research conducted in collaboration with experts at institutes and universities globally. She is now the Nutrition and Science advisor to Mars Horsecare and the Equine Studies Group. Pat has always given generously of her time as an active member of a range of different professional and advisory groups in addition to achieving a huge number of publications in prestigious academic journals.

Roger Smith MA VetMB PhD FHEA DEO DipECVSMR DipECVS FRCVS

On graduating in veterinary medicine from Cambridge University, Roger spent a couple of years in practice before joining the Royal Veterinary College, initially as a clinical scholar before taking up a HBLB-funded research scholarship. His speciality is equine orthopaedics with particular focus on lameness diagnostics, imaging and orthopaedic surgery – all of essential relevance to the racehorse.  Alongside his exceptional research career developing new approaches and techniques, some of which have translated into human medicine, Roger has over 150 peer-reviewed publications to his name and, in his teaching role, developed the careers of numerous young equine vets. With multiple active collaborations within the UK and worldwide, Roger is going to be exceptionally valuable to the VAC in further developing the HBLB’s international standing in equine veterinary research.  

For further information please contact:

Annie Dodd, HBLB Grants Manager – Equine Veterinary Science and Education, annie.dodd@hblb.org.uk or 07785 390922.