Our Team

Maggie Fisher

Maggie is a veterinarian and applied veterinary parasitologist with extensive experience in developing organisations. She has handled numerous expert reports and articles, working with developmental teams to reach submission deadlines. She is a facilitator and leader of teams, with very effective communication skills.

Maggie is a veterinary graduate of the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), London, with a passion for parasitology and diagnostics. After a short period in mixed veterinary practice, Maggie returned to the RVC where she spent 6 years as an academic focusing on parasitology, before establishing her own parasitology consultancy in 1997, Shernacre Enterprise. In 2008 she acquired Ridgeway Research Ltd, a thriving UK CRO with in-depth expertise in livestock, poultry, game birds and horse studies including parasitology.

In 2011 Maggie was one of the two founding directors of Veterinary Research Management Ltd (VRM), and is now sole director, providing in-depth business know-how and strategic direction to the company. When required, she also provides specialist scientific expertise, as a world renowned veterinary parasitologist who has worked on a very wide diversity of product development programmes.

In addition to her business commitments, Maggie has a broad interest in promoting the understanding of parasitology and was the initial creative influence behind the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP) in 2006, coordinating the initial development of this ‘not for profit’ organization. ESCCAP provides an insight into applied parasitology as well as expertise into the situation in Britain and how best to prevent the spread of parasites. She chaired the development of 1 guideline and reviewed 7 others up to 2014.

Maggie is an active member of the Executive Committee running the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP).She is also a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Parasitology and a fellow of the Royal Society of Biology. She has published extensively on parasitology and other topics including authoring a number of books and book chapters. Maggie is an acknowledged European expert on small animal parasitology and is a sought-after speaker and critical expert (for product registrations) on the topic. She is also certified in PRINCE2 project management.

Another scientific passion is in the implementation and promotion of the principle of refinement, reduction and replacement (the Three Rs) in the development of veterinary medicines, a philosophy that Ridgeway actively implements.

She is developing her understanding and implementation of fertility, particularly bovine, management using progesterone measurement as a management tool.

When not working Maggie enjoys reading, gardening, walking, interior design, cooking and wine appreciation, visiting historic sites and gardens.

Email Maggie at maggie@vrm.uk.com

Peter Holdsworth

Peter was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy in parasitology from the University of Queensland (1986) in Australia and has a scientific background specialising in veterinary parasitology within the animal health industry. Peter has published over 60 peer reviewed scientific papers, reports, books and book chapters. He is an experienced Board Director with significant project management and governance expertise. Peter has strong advocacy experience targeting government, regulators, international associations, industry and the media. He is recognised in delivery of policy analysis, scientific standards and technical guidelines. Peter has successfully handled numerous media crisis management situations for the animal health industry at a domestic and international level. Peter is a facilitator and leader of teams, with very effective communication skills. A present Peter in an independent consultant to the global animal health industry specialising in veterinary parasitology, regulation and risk management.

Peter has been President of the Australian Society for Parasitology (2008 - 2009) and of the World Association of the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (2011 - 2015). He was a Board member of the International Federation for Animal Health (2005 – 2013) and Agsafe Limited (1998 – 2004). Within Australia Peter was a Member of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Industry Consultation Group on COAG Review of Hazardous Materials; the Attorney General’s National Industry Reference Group on Chemicals of Security Concern; the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s Food Chain Assurance Advisory Group; the Australian Wool Residue Management Council; the ANZ Council for Care of Animals in Research & Teaching; and the CSIRO Meat, Dairy & Aquaculture Sector Advisory Committee.

Peter actively participated in the VICH program being a member of the VICH Steering Committee (1998 - 2013) and a member of the VICH veterinary anthelmintic testing guidelines working group (1998 – 2013). He also participated as Australia’s animal health chemical industry representative on the Australian delegation on the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (1998 - 2013) and on the Australian delegation to Codex in relation to establishing risk management procedures for dealing with antimicrobial resistance in relation to the use of veterinary antimicrobials (2005 – 2008).

Peter has worked collaboratively with industry associations in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Asia, North America, Latin America and Europe in forging industry projects, programs and agendas. He has the following awards:

• Fellow of the Royal Society for Biology, 2016
• Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Director (AICD), 2010
• World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP)/Bayer Healthcare Award for Excellence in Services to Veterinary Parasitology, Belgium, 2007
• Inaugural Animal Pharm Lifetime Achievement Award, London, UK, 2006
• Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM), Queen Elizabeth II Birthday Honours List, 2009
• Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO), Australia Day Honours List, 2016.

 Email Peter at peter.paragon60@gmail.com

Other Resources

VRM is adaptable, flexible and proactive and has a global presence.  In addition to the core team, we have the capacity to bring in resources as required to manage projects.