Meet the team

Animal care is a very personal business and client relationships are important to us. We have a lot of talent under one roof at our Coalville vet animal surgery – so meet the team and see what makes us tick.

Diane Storer

BVM&S PgCertVBM CertAVP PgDipVPS MRCVS

Bio

Raised on the family farm in Northern Ireland, Diane grew up with a love of all animals. After qualifying from Edinburgh University’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in 1989, she worked in practices in Cheshire, Staffordshire and Berkshire before joining Cockburn Veterinary Group in 1995, becoming a partner in 1999.

Diane reckons the best part of veterinary medicine is the variety and to ensure she is able to give her patients the most up to date treatment options she recently completed a 4 year diploma in veterinary professional studies obtaining a distinction by scoring over 70% in each module. Outside work Diane enjoys spending time with her family, her dog Skye and cat Denzel, going to spin classes at the gym, walking, reading and embroidery.

Cathy Churchill

BVetMed MRCVS

Bio

Cathy joined us in November 2014 having worked in a number of practices over the years. She has a specific interest in surgery and has introduced keyhole surgery to Cockburn’s so that we are now able to offer laparoscopic surgeries for spays, abdominal biopsies, removal of cryptorchid testicles and foreign body retrieval.

Cathy is currently studying for a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP) an extra qualification that veterinary surgeons can undertake when they have been practising for at least a year.

Cathy supports Bath Rugby Club (sorry Tigers fans. Bath? Please! Of all the clubs in the premiership…) and is an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction books.

cockburn-veterinary-group-vet-in-coalville-staff-Constantinos-Bikos-3

Kostas Bikos

DVM MRCVS

Bio

Kostas was born and raised in Athens, Greece and qualified as a veterinary surgeon from the University of Thessaly. After working in Greece for several years, he moved to the UK and joined us in March 2015.

Kostas has a particular interest in orthopaedics and surgery and he is currently completing the Royal College of Vetinary Surgeons Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice with the University of Liverpool, designated in small animal surgery.

In his spare time, Kostas likes to explore the UK countryside, play his guitar and socialise with friends. He is also a very keen aircraft and aviation enthusiast.

Nadine Wainwright

BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS

Bio

Nadine joined our veterinary team in May 2018. Having completed a degree in Physiology, Nadine fulfilled her ambition to become a vet qualifying from the University of Liverpool in 2007.

Nadine enjoys all aspects of general practice with a particular interest in medicine and feline medicine.

In her spare time Nadine enjoys going to the cinema, gym and spending time with family and friends.

Claudia Faria

DVM GPCert (SAS) GPCert (DI) MRCVS

Bio

Claudia graduated from the University of Trás-OS-Montes e Alto Douro in Portugal in 2004. She immediately moved to the UK and has remained here ever since, working in companion animal practices in Cleveland, Leicestershire and Essex.

She has a particular interest in small animal surgery and diagnostic imaging and in 2013 gained extra qualifications in these disciplines through successfully studying for General Practitioner certificates. This makes Claudia the practice’s go to person for ultrasound scanning.

Claudia loves to travel, particularly to locations with a pretty beach. She also loves to read, go the cinema and socialise with her family and friends.

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Ana Gálvez Martínez

DVM MRCVS

Bio

Ana grew up in the beautiful Alicante region of Spain and obtained her degree in veterinary medicine from the University of Murcia in 2011. Following graduation she worked as a veterinary surgeon in her homeland of Spain until moving to the UK to join us in September 2019. Ana is especially interested in the medicine aspect of veterinary practice, and in particular in ultrasonography.

Ana has a dog called Maggie, who also travelled from Spain to join us. Together they love to explore the English countryside.

Chloe Lakin

RVN – Head Veterinary Nurse

Bio

Chloe is our Head Veterinary Nurse, who in addition to leading our wonderful veterinary nursing team, is a key member of the practice leadership team. She has great organisational skills which she readily uses to keep the rest of us in check! Following graduation from Nottingham Trent University in the summer of 2011, Chloe started working as an RVN in July that year, and joined our team at Cockburn Veterinary Group in October 2012. More recently she has undertaken the prestigious Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management and is now actively involved in the day-to-day management of the practice.

Outside work, Chloe enjoys life with her husband and daughter and they all love to go for long walks in the countryside with their energetic dogs – Jingo the Border Collie and Peppa the Jack Russell Terrier.

Maxine Treadwell

RVN NCert (Anaesth) – Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse

Bio

Maxine started working at Cockburn’s in January 2015, becoming Chloe’s deputy in January 2018. Although she qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2013, she has worked as a veterinary nurse since leaving school in 2007. Maxine has a keen interest in anaesthesia and emergency and critical care patients and recently completed a Nurses Certificate in Anaesthesia. This specialist qualification provides advanced knowledge of safe anaesthesia and effective pain management.

To relax Maxine enjoys walking her two athletic lurchers, Dee-Dee and Yogi Bear, going to the cinema, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Alison Hubbard

RVN

Bio

Alison joined the team in December 2014 as a student veterinary nurse and qualified in August 2018.

She enjoys all aspects and challenges of her job but does have a particular interest in all things feline, and in the near future would like to study the ISFM certificate in feline nursing which would expand her skills as a cat advocate further.

At home Alison has a 15 year old cat called Missy who she is pictured with.

In her spare time she enjoys keeping fit and has a black belt 1st dan in kickboxing.

Laura Critchley

BSc (Hons) RVN

Bio

After graduating as a Veterinary Nurse with a first class Honours degree from Harper Adams University in 2015, Laura moved back to Leicestershire and began her career in a mixed practice before joining Cockburn Veterinary Group in October 2016.

Although she enjoys all aspects of her job, Laura is particularly interested in running nursing consultations, and conducts the majority of the weight clinics at the practice. She is also currently undertaking a certificate in Emergency and Critical Care nursing. This specialised qualification provides advanced knowledge of best up to date nursing care for critically ill or injured pets.

At home, Laura has a cheeky Cocker Spaniel called Jet and two guinea pigs, and when she’s not spending time with them she enjoys going to the gym and travelling.

Tash Elliott

RVN

Bio

Tash joined Cockburn Veterinary Group in August 2018. She qualified in 2010 and spent 8 years working at a veterinary hospital in Derbyshire before joining our team.

Tash has a particular interest in cardiology and medical nursing.

Outside of work she has 2 dogs, a 3 year old miniature schnauzer and a crazy 8 month old springer spaniel. They enjoy long walks and exploring new places together.

Helen Burton

Student Veterinary Nurse

Bio

A former primate keeper at Twycross Zoo for seven years, Helen joined the nursing team in April 2015 – and has heard every single monkey gag under the sun. After completing a First Diploma and a NVQ Level 2 in Animal Care Helen undertook a series of specialist zoo animal management courses. Looking for a change in direction she joined our team and studied to become a veterinary nurse, completing her training in 2019.

She has a cat called Lester, who just happens to be the brother of Diane’s cat Denzel and a dog called Dobby who she recently adopted.

Amy Lamb

RVN

Bio

Amy joined the practice in January 2019 and qualified in August of that same year. She has worked in many sectors in the animal care industry and as well as her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, she has a Degree in Biological Sciences (Animal Behaviour and Welfare), A National Diploma in Animal Management and A First Diploma in Animal Care.

Her interests in practice are training the student nurses and orthopaedic procedures.

Amy has many animals at home! 2 Guinea pigs, 2 Rabbits, 1 Budgie, 3 Dogs, 3 Cats, 1 Giant Land Snail, 4 Hamsters, 1 African Pygmy Hedgehog and Lots of Fish!

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Ali Connellan

Student Veterinary Nurse

Bio

Ali joined the team in September 2017, following 8 years working as a level 3 qualified beauty therapist in a health spa and a further 2 years as a medical secretary in the NHS. She as however always wanted to be a veterinary nurse and is currently in her second year of training. She has a particular interest in nursing our poorly in-patients, giving them lots of TLC and sharing in their owner’s joy when they recover and go home.

Ali has two cats, Alfie and Dillon, who are very energetic and like to get up to mischief regularly!

Charlotte Matthews

Student Veterinary Nurse

Bio

Charlotte joined us at the start of 2020 as a 2^nd year Student Veterinary Nurse.

Elaine Bircher

Bio

Elaine joined Cockburn Veterinary Group in 2007 as a member of the reception team migrating upstairs to become our Office Manager in the summer of 2019. She owns three horses and all sorts of animals and birds seem to enjoy living at Elaine’s house – including wild pheasants, a fox family and lots of breeding swifts who like to nest in the stables and keep the horses company.

Andie Chapman

Bio

Andie has worked on Reception since 2007 and lives in Coalville with a fabulous Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Doc – he’s a wonderful ambassador for the breed and possesses, we believe, the biggest grin in canine history. Andie processes all our client insurance claim forms, ensuring that settlement takes place as quickly as possible.

Viv Lamb

Bio

Viv has worked on Reception since 2008 and enjoys living locally together with a menagerie of pets including two dogs and two horses. She holds the record on Reception for rescuing the most animals – from hedgehogs to bats and birds – in order to release them back to the wild once she has nursed them back to health.

Rachael Oliver

Bio

Rachael is our longest serving reception member, having joined Cockburn Veterinary Group in 1998. She is a very creative person and is in charge of our fabulous waiting room displays and notices.

Rachael Jarvis

Bio

Rachael is the newest member on reception as she joined the team in September 2019. She is currently working through her Bronze, Silver and Gold BVRA awards. Rachael has always had an interest in animals due to being brought up on her parents’ farm.

She owns 5 ponies and a Chocolate Labrador named Darcey.

In her spare time Rachael enjoys walking Darcey, looking after her ponies and spending time with family and friend.

Meet the team

Diane Storer

Cathy Churchill

Kostas Bikos

Nadine Wainwright

Claudia Faria

Ana Gálvez Martínez

Chloe Lakin

Maxine Treadwell

Alison Hubbard

Laura Critchley

Tash Elliott

Helen Burton

Amy Lamb

Ali Connellan

Charlotte Matthews

Elaine Bircher

Andie Chapman

Viv Lamb

Rachael Oliver

Rachael Jarvis

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