Management

VetCell is managed by a highly qualified team of professionals. We are dedicated to the research and development of our products, the health and fitness of the horses who are treated using VetCell products and the service we offer to our customers.

Chairman - John Cook

Johnnie has a background in farming and SMEs. He has been involved as a business man and entrepreneur in England, Australia and New Zealand within farming, energy and service industries. He has served on the local authority, stood as an independent Prospective Parliamentary candidate; been involved with the New Zealand Government Department of Energy and the UK Central Electricity Generating Board. He has had a lifelong interest in racehorses and event horses which led to his involvement in VetCell.

Group Managing Director  – Stephen Arnott MBA

Stephen has worked at board level for an array of small and medium sized businesses within the healthcare, pharmaceutical, charitable and business to business environment. His principal interest is in nurturing start-ups and managing turnarounds, where through his energy and experience he is able to add real value. He spent over fifteen years in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors  during which time he managed the introduction, financing and operation of the first treatment centre for laser correction of shortsight and one of the earliest Harley Street day surgery facilities. On both occasions he had to consider the concerns of the medical community whilst promoting the advantages of these revolutionary treatments to unfamiliar audiences. Internationally, Stephen has chaired two healthcare charities that have funded fixed and mobile surgery facilities in India and Nepal. 

Within the pharmaceutical sector, he was a founder director of Spectrum Ophthalmics and spent many years prosecuting and licensing worldwide intellectual property rights to many of the largest international pharmaceutical companies, including Johnson & Johnson, Pharmacia, Nestle, and Smith and Nephew.


Scientific Director - Dr. Joanna Miller

Jo's background is in biochemistry. She has a degree and PhD in biochemistry and worked for nine years in research and management at Glaxo Group Research. Her specialist knowledge in cell culture and biochemical differentiation markers has given her the ideal technical understanding required for VetCell and makes her a formidably qualified scientific director. Since leaving Glaxo she has run a number of small, start-up businesses. She is also an experienced and well-qualified science teacher, which has provided her with the excellent organisational skills she now implements in communicating technical information clearly both to clients and investors.

She became involved with VetCell six years ago when she invested in the Company. After which, she took a pro-active role in co-ordinating shareholder interest and activities culminating in the successful purchase of the new VetCell, now a subsidiary of Quy Biosciences Ltd. Jo’s principal role is to investigate R&D opportunities for new products in the veterinary sector, as well as developing research for the clinical trials at MedCell.


European Client Manager - Kate Middleton BSc (Hons) 

After completing her BSc (Hons) in Equine Science Kate spent a number of years working within the thoroughbred industry including managing a small stud, taking sole charge at the thoroughbred sales and gaining experience in all aspects of busy stud life. Kate has also spent time working as a veterinary nurse in a mixed practice and within a leading B2B (business to business) Marketing Agency as an account manager.

Following a short term contract at the Royal Agricultural Society of England Kate found a role combining her love of equine, veterinary and science within the stem cell and regenerative medicine arena. Kate has ridden for over 20 years and currently has her own mare, spending any spare time hunting (with the Ledbury) and team chasing around the country. Kate joined VetCell as the European Client Manager in 2011 and is looking forward to supporting and developing the company’s expertise and services throughout Europe.


Marketing Executive - Lucy Graham BSc (Hons)

Lucy has a BSc in Psychology and Zoology from Bristol University. Her career started at Biffa Waste Services as a Recycling Manager at their Peugeot contract (promoting recycling and resources management via presentations, educational tours, and diverse media). After promotion to Contract Manager she left Biffa to move to The Cotswold Company as a Creative Executive, managing catalogue production and PR and covering everything from copy-writing, coordinating photography shoots, and proof-reading, to press releases, media enquiries and events. Approached to become Marketing Manager of Horse Hero (an equestrian video website) she was heavily involved, alongside the website's founder, in the launch of the website. Through the high quality content and some strategic, low-cost marketing they created a hugely popular and highly praised website generating a steady income from subscriptions.

Lucy started working for VetCell on a freelance basis in May 2010 and is responsible for the PR and marketing of the company and the development of the website. Lucy is also a keen horse owner and rider and enjoys eventing and showjumping so she has an excellent knowledge of the equestrian market.


Technical Manager, Biobest Laboratories Ltd. - Kieran McDonald BSc (Hons) MSc

Kieran graduated in 2000 with a BSc (Hons) in Microbiology. From university he went to work for Biobest where he worked in testing for veterinary infectious diseases, specialising in virology. He is currently the Technical Manger with responsibility for test development and all cell culture maintenance. Kieran is also involved with contract research projects. During his time at Biobest Kieran has also obtained an MSc in Biomedical Science. He has been culturing stem cells for VetCell for a number of years now and is extremely experienced in the field. He likes to keep abreast of developments stem cell technology and is always interested to read about the latest research.


Veterinary Support Services - Minnie Parmiter BA (Hons) MSc

Minnie has a BA(Hons) in Biological Sciences from Oxford University (Pembroke College) and an MSc in Control of Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London University. She is currently completing her PhD at Glasgow Veterinary School and works part time for VetCell managing the company’s northern and Spanish speaking clients. She is additionally responsible for overseeing laboratory quality assurance and compliance with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate regulations to ensure VetCell continues to provide the highest quality cells and service to its clients. She grew up with horses and has a particular interest in polo due to having Argentine family with strong ties to the sport.