Meet the Team

Martin Hobbs is the Practice Principal and owner of The Meopham Hospital and The Swanscombe and Sevenoaks Veterinary Surgeries. Martin gained a first class degree in Animal Physiology and Nutrition from the University of Leeds.

He graduated from The Royal Veterinary College in 1992, with distinctions in anatomy and surgery. In 1996 he opened the Meopham Veterinary Surgery and subsequently The Swanscombe Veterinary Surgery in 2000 and The Sevenoaks Veterinary Surgery in May 2010. Following postgraduate study and examination Martin has been awarded the RCVS Certificates in Small Animal Surgery in 2002 and Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging in 2004.

He has also gained a Certificate in Small Animal Ophthalmology. His main areas of interest are surgery (small animal and equine) and diagnostic imaging. Martin is a Local Veterinary Inspector.

Lauren graduated from the University of Bristol in 2011.  Between graduation and starting work she travelled to Greece where she had a fantastic time doing charity work neutering stray animals.  In 2017 she completed an advanced qualification in emergency medicine and critical care, which she finds an incredibly rewarding area of her job.

In Lauren’s spare time she is a keen gym-goer, swimmer and golfer.

Vicky graduated with distinction from the Cambridge Veterinary school in 2017, having also gained a MA in neuroscience during a year out from her veterinary course.  During her time at university she also completed an elective focusing on farm animal medicine and undertook research into dairy calf health.

Vicky has a special interest in large animal medicine, everything from horses and cattle to alpaca, as well as a keen interest in small animal medicine, especially skin disease.

When not working Vicky loves nothing more than being outdoors, running, hiking or kayaking in the countryside and has even completed a tough mudder challenge.

Sioned graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2017, having also gained a BA in Psychology during a year out from her veterinary course.  Sioned enjoys both large and small animal practice and has a keen interest in anaesthesia, having completed an elective in the subject during university.

Outside of work she enjoys travelling, the occasional run or a yoga class.

Eleanor graduated from Glasgow University in 1995.  Since then she has worked in small animal practice, including some work in the emergency sector.

Outside of work she might be found running around the countryside, on her yoga mat at home or reading/listening to a good book.

She has one very handsome, but rather silly, cat called Lord Michael of Kent (it’s a long story……!).

ACPAT Physiotherapist Cat A Bsc Physiotherapy, Msc Veterinary Physiotherapy
Steph Wilson is our Chartered Physiotherapist. She gained a physiotherapy degree at Huddersfield University in 2003. She went on to work at her regional hospital in North Wales, eventually specialising in Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal conditions. A move to London in 2007 enabled Steph to gain physiotherapy experience in the top NHS hospitals in the country and study at the Royal Veterinary College. In 2010 she completed her MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy and begun practicing under more experienced physiotherapists in Kent and Essex before branching out independently. In the last 8 years Steph has been balancing a mixed caseload of human, small and large animal work in the Kent area. In her spare time she is painstakingly trying to train her English Pointer for the shooting field.

Jenny joined the surgery in 2007 after training as a Veterinary Nurse she qualified in January 2010. She is the Head Nurse of all three practices and is very interested in surgical nursing. Jenny has completed a diploma in canine behaviour management. She is also a clinical coach helping our trainee nurses with their college work.

Gemma joined the practice in October 2007 after several years working in a small animal practice in Wales. Gemma particularly likes to be involved with nursing our surgical patients. She is responsible for managing our insurance claims.

Hayley completed her Veterinary Nurse training at Bicton College, Devon qualifying in 2005.  She worked at the PDSA in Gillingham for 8 years before joining the Swanscombe Veterinary Surgery in November 2010.

In her spare time Hayley enjoys swimming, visiting local English Heritage locations and going on holiday to Devon and Cornwall.  Hayley has a bearded dragon called ‘JD’ as her husband is allergic to furry pets.

Tracey joined the team in March 2007. She is a qualified nurse assessor. Tracey can frequently be seen running nurse clinics. Outside of the hospital, Tracey is busy raising a young family but loves to dance in her spare moments.

Hannah joined the practice in 2011 and has been in small animal practice for 7 years. She has a keen interest in small animal care and endoscopy. She enjoys teaching others and will start mentoring some of our student nurses later this year. Hannah also enjoys nurse clinics and has taken on an active role to encourage clients to attend our free nurse clinics at the Hospital. Hannah is one of our night nurses. She owns a house rabbit called Harry who is her pride and joy. Hannah is currently looking into further education to specialise in rabbit anaesthesia and critical care.

Vicki joined the Meopham team in 2008, qualifying as a registered Veterinary Nurse in 2010. Vicki is one of our night nurses at the practice.  Vicki has a keen interest in exotic patients and emergency/intensive care and is studying for a certificate in emergency and critical care nursing.

Outside of work Vicki enjoys gardening, weight liftting and looking after her own family of animals : Jack Russel Terriers Akkarin and Rosie, Arnie the cat and three beautiful bearded dragons.

Rebecca joined the practice in March 2017 after graduating from the University of Reading with a Zoology Degree.

She has a lovely Lancashire Heeler called Monty and enjoys taking him for long walks in the countryside.

Rebecca is excited to have started college and continues to broaden her veterinary nursing knowledge.

Chanice joined the practice in February 2017, after completing a degree at University in Animal Science in 2016.

Chanice previously worked as a veterinary care assistant which inspired her to work and care for animals.

Chanice is excited to be at college to become an RVN.

Aisling joined the practice in May 2008 as a receptionist. After enjoying a couple of years working on reception she was then promoted to work in the office. She took on the role of Practice Manager in 2013 and is responsible for the day to day running of the 3 practices. 

Susan has been with the practice since it started in September 1996. She personally manages large account customers. Her other responsibilities include credit control and VAT. Outside work she enjoys the country life with her beloved Labrador Benson.

Kerry has worked at the surgery since October 2000. She has spent time working at both an out of hours emergency service and at the Royal Veterinary College to gain further specialist knowledge. Kerry has since changed roles and now works in the office alongside the rest of our admin team.  Outside of work Kerry enjoys running and is always kept busy with her two young sons.

Jo joined the practice in May 2013 as a receptionist and was then promoted to our accounts team where she is enjoying her role (although she still manages to keep up to date with our patients downstairs!).  In her spare time she enjoys going to the theatre, painting and decorating and travelling. Jo has two cat’s called Zac and Bea and loves nothing more than cuddles with them when returning home from work.