Graeme Cooke has been named as the new Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer (DCVO) for the United Kingdom.
Graeme returns to Defra following a round of competitive external recruitment, and will begin his new role at the end of January.
Graeme is an experienced veterinarian and has worked in a variety of clinical practice types with extensive experience in both rural and urban communities. He is currently also a trustee of an international animal welfare charity.
Speaking about his appointment, Graeme said: “I am delighted to be able to contribute to the work of maintaining the animal and public health status of the UK. It is a privilege to support our farming and food industry in this role.
“I am very much looking forward to working again with the team at Defra, its agencies, the devolved administrations, and all the individuals and groups, which will come together to meet future challenges across animal health and welfare.”
Graeme first started working for Defra in 2002 as a policy advisor planning disease outbreak preparedness, before working across areas of UK and EU animal welfare and disease, including international trade negotiations.
He went on to become a director at the World Governing Body of Equestrian Sport (FEI), creating new frameworks to overcome a variety of animal health and welfare challenges while managing the organisation’s business growth.
He worked closely with the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) and the EU and has been a member of a number of expert working groups at both organisations.
