Our Hereford Veterinary Team

Chris Darke
Director & Veterinary Surgeon

Victoria Darke
Director & Veterinary Surgeon

Charles Brice
Veterinary Surgeon

Louise Howarth
Veterinary Surgeon

Kelly Manning
Veterinary Surgeon

Fran Brice
Veterinary Surgeon

Natalie Cooper
Veterinary Surgeon

Lauren Strevens
Veterinary Surgeon

Jemima Meade
Veterinary Surgeon

Lucy Soanes
Practice Manager

Lottie Bradley
Head Nurse

Trish Helme
Veterinary Nurse

Nikki Cameron
Veterinary Nurse

Natalie Holder
Veterinary Nurse

Alicia Richards
Veterinary Nurse

Ginene Bufton
Veterinary Nurse

Rachel Williams
Veterinary Nurse

Lindsey Benjamin
Veterinary Nurse

James Norman
Veterinary Nurse

Ailish Thorn-Davies
Veterinary Nurse

Fliss Harrison
Student Veterinary Nurse

Lexy King
Student Veterinary Nurse

Madeleine Nedoma
Head Receptionist

Tracey Turner
Receptionist

Lily Morris
Receptionist

Melissa Bacon
Receptionist

Rhiannon Bessant
Receptionist

Rebekah Kerr
Receptionist
Director & Veterinary Surgeon
BA VetMB PgC(SADI) MRCVS
Chris qualified from Cambridge University in 1995. Chris began working at Brookfield in 2004, became a partner in 2005 and now co-owns the practice with his wife Victoria. Chris is an Advanced General Practitioner with a Certificate in Diagnostic Imaging which includes ultrasonography & radiology (x-rays). He also offers in depth consultations for dermatology and canine behaviour. Chris spends a lot of time managing the day to day running of the practice. You may also spot Chris running when he’s out training for a marathon or two!
Director & Veterinary Surgeon
BVetMed PgC SADOS MRCVS
Victoria is Herefordshire born & bred and qualified from Royal Veterinary College London in 1996. Her Brookfield story began in 2004 and she now co-owns the practice with her husband Chris. Victoria enjoys surgery. She also has a particular interest in veterinary dentistry. In 2015 she introduced digital dental radiography and has taken our dental care to new heights. In 2020 she undertook her certificate in dentistry passing the in 2021. Then in 2022 she undertook the Advanced Veterinary Practitioner studies also passing these.
As well as four sons at home, Chris and Victoria have a ginger cat Hugo, plus two Labradors Derek & Woody that they individually rescued in 2013.
Veterinary Surgeon
BVM BVS MRCVS
Charles has been working with Brookfield Vets since he qualified, starting with us in August 2016. Charles now shares his time between both branches, but predominantly works in Ledbury as our Clinical Director. Charles and his wife, Fran, are excited to welcome their fourth child in January 2026. In his spare time, when his hands aren’t full, he enjoys renovating his Victorian property and playing padel. Charles and his family have two Norfolk Terriers, and an assortment of guinea pigs and chickens.
Veterinary Surgeon
BVetMed CertAVP MRCVS
Louise worked at Brookfield for nearly 4 years, she then moved away and had a daughter. 2017 she moved back to Hereford, and rejoined her Brookie family.
She works part time and loves looking after the patients and spending time with clients. Her particular interest lies in medicine, she has achieved her status as an advanced veterinary practitioner and has exams to take to finalise her Certificate in Smal Animal Medicine. Louise has a blind Ginger cat at home called “Mole” who was found as a stray kitten 7 years ago. In her spare time her enjoys playing Netball and spending time with her friends and family.
Veterinary Surgeon
BVSc PgC(SAM) MRCVS
Kelly joined the Brookie team in January 2018, a fantastic addition with her certificate in medicine. She qualified from Liverpool university in 2010 and has worked in small animal practice ever since. She particular enjoys medicine cases and surgery.
She is kept very busy with 3 children, 3 dogs, 1 cat and 4 Guinea pigs at home, but when she does find some time she enjoys dog walks, netball and meeting up with friends.
Veterinary Surgeon
BVM BVS MRCVS
Fran joined us in 2020, having graduated in 2016. She currently works one day a week in Hereford, and helps support our work with the Hereford branch of Cats Protection.
Fran has no spare time as she currently has 3 children under 6, with a fourth on the way, two dogs, guinea pigs, chickens and a demanding husband (Charles) to look after.
Veterinary Surgeon
BVSc MRCVS
Natalie graduated from Bristol in 2015 and started her career up in Yorkshire. She then volunteered in the amazon, helping to care for wild animals including Vanesso the ocelot and Juancho the jaguar. She has a soft spot for cats, having grown up with them throughout all her childhood. She returned to the UK, working in practices from Gloucestershire to Lincolnshire. She then helped out with the country's COVID-19 response before joining the Brookfield team in May 2021.
In her spare time she likes exploring new places and has an interest in photography. She especially enjoys dancing and can sometimes be found singing in her kitchen.
Veterinary Surgeon
Jemima grew up in Buckinghamshire and studied at the University of Nottingham before moving to Hereford shortly after graduating in 2024. During her training, she gained hands-on experience in South Africa working with rhinos, lions, antelope, and buffalo. Jemima has a particular interest in small animal surgery and imaging, and she’s excited to continue developing her skills alongside her colleagues at Brookie.
Always on the go, Jemima enjoys running half marathons, playing netball and padel, and exploring the many restaurants and pubs that Hereford has to offer. In the springtime, you’ll find her in her wellies helping out with lambing at her partner’s farm - her favourite kind of chaos.
Practice Manager
Lucy was an experienced receptionist who always had a smile on her face. We were very pleased to be able to appoint her as Practice Manager in 2016. She has contributed to many of Brookfield’s achievements, including becoming a Cat Friendly Practice and setting up a branch in Ledbury. This year she completed a qualification in Leadership and Management. Lucy has a soft spot for cats which sees her having two of her own – Esme and Phoebe. Lucy obtained Phoebe when she was brought into Brookfield as a stray kitten involved in an RTA, she made a full recovery and now rules the roost.
Head Nurse
CertVN ECC , NCert (AnBeh) , RVN
Lottie joined Brookfield in 2010 and started her Veterinary Nurse training while going to Abbeydale Vetlink College one day a week. Lottie qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2013 and since then has had a keen interest in emergency nursing and critical care, she was awarded her Nursing Certificate in Emergency and Critical Care in March 2018. As well as getting stuck in with emergencies you will find Lottie spending a lot of her time organising and running Puppy School and currently studying for the Nursing Certificate in Animal Behaviour. Lottie was appointed Head Nurse in 2016 which involves working closely with the Vets and Nurses to help give our patients the best possible care during their stay.
Not one to sit still, she completed her Certificate in Animal Behaviour in Jan 2020.
Veterinary Nurse
NCert (AnBeh), MT, CCFT, CCAS,NCert(Physio)
Trish has been with Brookfield for 30 + years and definitely found her calling as a veterinary nurse.
Over these years, Trish has increased her knowledge by obtaining her nursing certificate in animal behaviour in 2016 and, more recently, her nursing certificate in physiotherapy and rehabilitation in 2024.
Trish loves training her dogs and has been part of a dog display team, but now competes in canine agility with her working cocker spaniels.
Trish loves nothing more than helping your pets improve their quality of life and has a vast knowledge in dog training, breeding and physiotherapy following injury/surgery.
Veterinary Nurse
RVN
Nikki joined Brookfield in 2016 as student vet nurse and qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2018 from Abbeydale Veterinary College. Part of her role includes nurse consultations where she enjoys weight clinics and meeting new puppies and kittens.
Nikki has completed a BVNA/BVDA Oral Care certificate to aid her dentistry care, as well as her ISFM Cat Friendly Nurse Course. She moved across to become an extra member of the expanding Ledbury team in December 2020 but since back from maternity leave is back in Hereford. 2025 saw her go on her 2nd maternity leave.
Nikki has her very loved Roo, a fox red Labrador. In her spare time, Nikki enjoys walking the dogs but since becoming a mum hasn't found time to continue with dog agility !!
Veterinary Nurse
CertVN ECC, RVN
Natalie completed her training here at Brookfield & qualified in 2008! She left for 2 years and worked in emergency clinics and various locum positions across the country to gain lots of experience and an extra qualification in emergency and critical care. She returned to Brookfield in 2011.
Living with Natalie are; Harry the golden retriever, Mabel a working cocker spaniel, Edward and Peggy the cats, Boris and Doris the rabbits plus her two small humans, Jack and Hattie!
Nat loves every single part of veterinary nursing but if had to choose one favourite it would be nursing the geriatric dog. Her other penchant is taking any waifs and strays home.
Nat has also completed her coape advanced canine nursing and behaviour certificate and an IMDTB L4 certificate in consultations, foundations and functions of behaviour and also runs obedience and puppy training at Awesome Paws Performance.
Veterinary Nurse
Cert AMN (dentistry) RVN
Alicia joined the Brookfield team in Hereford in September 2020 having qualified as an RVN in 2015. Dentistry soon became a love of hers once at Brookfield and she continued her training in this area, completing her "Certificate Advanced Veterinary Nursing (Dentistry)" in summer 2022!!
She has 3 children who all share her love of animals. They share two fur babies;an adopted kitten called pip whom they reared from 2 weeks old, a Syrian hamster called marshmallow and a scaled baby called Devon the bearded dragon!
As well as an intense love of football (most importantly Wolverhampton wanderers) Alicia spends a lot of her time in amongst the books furthering her cpd/knowledge to help our lovely patients.
Veterinary Nurse
RVN
Ginene joined us in 2021 when she moved back to her home county after starting her training in the South East. Ginene is due to sit her OSCE’s late.
We loved celebrating with her when she passed her OSCE’s in July 22.
She has an interest in medicine, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, and now qualified she hopes to gain further knowledge and experience. She is also responsible for maintaining our portfolio for our Gold Feline Friendly status.
Outside of work she likes spend her time walking with her 2 Spaniels and 1 Labrador, as well as playing netball.
Veterinary Nurse
RVN
Rachel rejoined the Hereford nursing team in September 2022. Having left to try out a non-nursing job she missed it too much and we are glad to welcome her back to the fold.
Having qualified as a nurse back in 2010 her favourite place to be is, client facing, in the consulting room.
Veterinary Nurse
RVN
Lindsey joined us as maternity cover for reception during our pregnancy outbreak in 2019. Her enthusiasm, positivity and determination to provide a friendly, helpful professional service means she has become a central member of the Brookie team. Through floods, COVID and a leg break at our team outing she has smiled her way through (we have photographic evidence !) In January 2021 she was very excited to swap blue for green and white stripes to become a student nurse. Then passing her final exams at end for 2023 means that in 2024 she got to wear the long awaited “berry scrubs” .
At home she enjoys spending time outdoors with her two and four legged family members. 2024 saw Lindsey involved again in musical theatre and some of you may have seen her treading the boards at the Courtyard in Hereford. She performed in 'Footloose' in 2024 and 'Priscilla, Queen of the desert', October 2025. Very excited to see what's in store for the future!
Veterinary Nurse
RVN
James joined our team in September 2020 to aid our vets during the COVID 19 lockdowns. He has since qualified to become a RVN in August 2024. James has a keen interest in cytology and loves nothing better than a day looking down a microscope. James also has a soft spot for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, of which he owns one called Emma.
Student Veterinary Nurse
Fliss started at our Ledbury branch in 2021, before transferring to Hereford during September 2022 to undertake her veterinary nurse training, This was achieved in the summer of 2025! Patience is needed for her graduation in 2026!
She is excited to develop her nursing skills, especially in emergency care and anaesthesia. In her spare time, Fliss enjoys playing tennis, horseriding, and of course, long walks with her dog, Bonnie.
Head Receptionist
Maddy joined the team in March 2018, fitting in so well with her bubbly personality. She has always worked within the pet industry, but her love for animals brought her to Brookfield where should could work closer with our four legged friends.
Maddy has completed her ‘Cat Handling Course’ which helped contribute to our achievement of becoming a Gold Cat Friendly Practice. She is also working towards her Gold Award within the British Veterinary Receptionist Association, as well as her SQP qualification, which will make her a registered animal medicines advisor.
Maddy was made head receptionist in July 2021 , due to her unerring dedication to client service & forward thinking approach to always improve what we do.
At home, Maddy is kept busy with her 5 dogs; Bean, Bruce, Jess, Nelly & Wilf. She enjoys taking them all out on a woodland walk amongst the Forest of Dean, along with her husband, Duncan, daughter, Lexi and son, Angus.
Receptionist
Tracey started working at Brookfield Vets in September 2020 having previously worked as a receptionist in two other veterinary practices in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.
She has had an eclectic career spanning insurance, housing, community, and support work. A large garden, a small flock of chickens, and the demands of two dogs, Betty and Todd, keeps Tracey busy. She enjoys learning new things and has completed a degree in Community Development and courses including, Canine Behaviour and Socialisation, Canine First-Aid, Tellington T-Touch, a Diploma in Dog Grooming, the BVRA Bronze Receptionist Award, Bereavement and End-of-Life Support, Dental Care award and is part way through a Diploma in Canine Behaviour. She has a keen interest in sustainability and now heads up our Hereford Green Group, aiming to inspire us all into greener ways!
Receptionist
Lily joined our reception team in September 2021 and is the younger sister to our head nurse Charlotte.
Lily's main roles, alongside the desk, include creating our colourful boards in Hereford & looking after our Pet Health Plan. She began completing the Bronze Level BVRA Accredited Veterinary Receptionist Award, IFSM Feline Friendly Training & Promoting your Preventative Healthcare Plan and is currently in the middle of her BVRA Companion Animal Foundation Course.
Outside of work, Lily enjoys spending time with her family, including lurcher cross Norman. She is best known for her love of the gym specifically Body Attack : watch out she’s training to become an instructor.
Receptionist
Melissa had been part of the Brookfield family for the past 11 years with their family dog Lola, and now her rescue cat Nova. Melissa had always dreamed of working in a veterinary practice and when the position came up in February 2022 she had to apply. Imagine her delight when offered the position! When asked to write her website bio she told us "I'm grateful to work with such an amazing team and allowing me to expand my knowledge within animal health." She started out completing her IFSM Feline Friendly Training & Bronze Level BVRA Accredited Veterinary Receptionist Award and can't wait to progress further. When not at the practice your find her busy at home with her partner, Dylan and son Finley or out on a run training for the London Marathon in 2026!!
Receptionist
Rhiannon joined the team in December 2023, having previous experience working at another veterinary practice. Rhiannon completed her degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare in 2021 and then her MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour at the University of Edinburgh. When she isn't working or studying, her Springer, Sprollie and Golden Retriever keep her busy. Outside of work, she enjoys spending her time going on long countryside walks with her furry companions.
Receptionist
Bek is one of the friendly faces you’ll see at Brookfield. She has been apart of the team since November 2023, greeting clients and their pets with a warm smile and supporting the vets and nurses during appointments. Alongside her reception duties, Bek helps with the practice’s social media and assists with completing AHC paperwork.
She enjoys getting to know clients and their animals, helping to make every visit as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Outside of work, Bek loves spending time with her German Shepherd, Jana, along with her friends and family.



















































