West Mount Vets
The Directors
Richard Holborow BVSc MBA MRCVS
Richard grew up on a dairy farm in the Cotswolds and qualified as a vet from Liverpool University in 1975. His first jobs were in Sheffield and Corringham and he worked for a while as a locum. Richard first visited this part of Yorkshire while walking the Pennine Way, with his wife Maggie. Much taken with the beauty of the area and the wealth of local activities, and realising that there were no local vets, they moved to Hebden Bridge in 1981 and Richard set up the Bankfoot House surgery. At first he was the only vet in the practice and was on-call every day and night of the year, except for brief holidays. He was very relieved when the practice expanded to allow the employment of an additional vet to share the work-load. That second vet was Clare, who later became an equal Partner in the business.
Since the early 1980s the practice has grown to include five surgeries with about 40 employees, and Richard found himself needing to spend much more time running the business. Realising that more professional management was needed he studied part-time for a business degree (MBA) at Huddersfield University and qualified (with distinction) in 2002. Richard is also a Council Member of the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons and is currently Honorary Secretary - a role which keeps him in close touch with matters affecting current and future developments in veterinary practice.
Richard and Maggie have two sons, Peter and George, who have both attended the local Calder High School. The whole family has very much enjoyed living in this area, participating in local events such as the Round Table Bonfire, the Rotary Boundary Walk, the Hebden Bridge Festival and the numerous local theatrical, musical and sporting activities. It was a fortunate chance that the Pennine Way passes nearby!
Clare Tapsfield Wright BVMS MRCVS
I qualified as a vet from Glasgow University in 1978 and worked for six years in mixed practice in Yorkshire.
Lying on a piggery floor at three am one morning I decided to specialise in small animal work and moved to Hebden Bridge in 1983 becoming a partner in the practice in 1986.
The practice has expanded over the years and Richard and I continue to manage it personally to maintain the level of care and expertise that characterised the original surgery. We are lucky in working with a dedicated team of colleagues who share our love of caring for animals.
Clare was elected in 2006 to the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary surgeons which is the regulatory body of the profession which ensures the high standards of veterinary surgeons in the UK.
Clare lives with husband Shaun, her two sons and two dogs Bagster and Gnasher ( alias Asbo) in Hebden Bridge.
