Our Board members
- Dr Mark Gilmour, Chair
- Dr Ngaire Dixon, Board Member
- Dr Paul Fraser, Board Member
- Dr Stephen Hopkinson, Board Member
- Mr Eric Judd, Board Member
- Mr Michael Lange, Board Member
- Dr Roger Wakelin, Board Member
Ex Officio members
- Alpha Woolrich, Chief Executive Officer
- Trish Thorpe, Claims Manager
- Tineal Teu, Administration Officer
VPIS Board Members
Mark Gilmour, Chair
BVSc Massey 1978
VPIS Chair
VPIS Board since 2007
Species: Production animal
What does your background bring to the job? I was in a mixed practice in the Rangitikei for 33 years - initially at the Marton Vet Club and since 1980 am a partner in Southern Rangitikei Vet Services. Since 2011 I have been self-employed and provide consultancy services to several companies. I assess claims involving production animals such as sheep, beef, deer and some dairy.
I know from my time in practice, and as a manager, that as vets we face some unique challenges and risks. So, when my fellow Board member Vince Peterson suggested I put my name forward for the VPIS Board it was a great opportunity for me to give something back into the profession.
What do you enjoy about your Board role? The cases VPIS has dealt with gives us a real insight to many aspects of practice and allows us to have a perspective managing risk in the profession. We have used this to provide guidance on things like scanning and pregnancy testing, technician employment, certification for transport, raw milk and associated legislation.
Final word: While the primary role of VPIS is to provide indemnity insurance to the profession, what I think gives us our point of difference is the genuine focus and passion for the well-being of vets, and the standard of the profession, of every Board member past and present.
Ngaire Dixon
BVetMed London 1995
VPIS Board since September 2023
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join the Board of VPIS. As an independent director with a proven track record of successful performance and integrity in high paced and challenging organisations, I am excited to bring my expertise to this Board.
In addition to my role as a Veterinary Surgeon and Clinic Manager at the After Hours Vet Clinic in Christchurch, I have held various leadership and governance positions (including being a past Chair of Alzheimers NZ, current Chair of NZ Cat Fancy and Board positions on the Dementia Prevention Research Trust and Mace Consulting) which have provided me with valuable experience in organisational governance, strategic planning and stakeholder management.
Throughout my career as a veterinarian, I have owned and managed Veterinary Clinics and been a passionate advocate for the profession. I have witnessed firsthand the challenges and risks that veterinary professionals face on a daily basis. These challenges often extend beyond the clinic walls and require strategic planning, innovative solutions, and a deep understanding of the industry. I firmly believe that by serving on the VPIS I can utilise my expertise, passion, and commitment to contribute to the growth and success of VPIS, as well as to advocate for the best interests of the veterinary professionals.
Paul Fraser
BVSc Massey 1977
VPIS Board since 2011
Species: Equine
What does your background bring to the job? I spent forty years in equine clinical practice at Cambridge Equine Hospital before retiring from full time work in 2017. Since then, I've continued to work for them on a consultancy basis and occasionally locum for other practices. I assess claims predominantly involving equine.
What do you enjoy about your Board role? My passions are helping young veterinarians develop their careers and trying to come up with innovative solutions for problems, both veterinary and non-veterinary, by looking at things from slightly "outside of the box".
My greatest satisfaction is working to ease the anguish of our insured vets when they are subjected to the stress of legal action when things go wrong.
Final word: Whether the vet is in the right, or in the wrong, is of little consequence. Our job is to guide them through the process of rectifying the issue in a way that minimises the negative impact it may have on them personally, and on their professional future. If I can achieve that, I have done my job.
Stephen Hopkinson
BVSc Massey 1990
VPIS Board since September 2023
Stephen Hopkinson graduated form Massey over 30 years and has been a dairy cattle veterinarian in South Taranaki ever since. He is currently CEO of Taranaki Veterinary Centre, employing 33 vets and over 50 support staff in 5 clinics throughout South and Central Taranaki. Stephen has been active within the wider profession with time on a VCNZ Complaints Assessment Committee, 10 years on the DCV (with 3 years as President), and 2 years on the NZVA Board and Member Advisory Group. Outside of work he has 5 children, a lifestyle block (an oxymoron if there ever was one!), plays football through winter and is an active volunteer firefighter with >30 years commitment.
After finishing the NZVA-based commitments, Stephen realised he still wanted to contribute to the veterinary profession and his experiences on the VCNZ CAC prompted him to join the VPIS Board to provide strategic and critical governance but through a pragmatic and practical lens so that veterinarians in all roles have the support, recognition and understanding that they require in these increasingly challenging times.
Eric Judd
VPIS Board since September 2023
I am an actuary by profession. I have almost 40 years experience in the insurance industry, including in risk management and time spent in senior roles in life and general insurance companies and in the public sector. My time as an animal lover and frequent user of veterinarian services has created a strong interest in this role and I look forward to playing a part in the future growth and development of VPIS.
Michael Lange
VPIS Board since September 2023
I'm CEO for Vetora Waikato, overseeing our 8 clinics and I have a diverse background that will help me support the VPIS Board and management. With a career in innovation, finance and insurance - including many years in leadership roles for FMG, a mutual insurer committed to its membership base - and a drive for innovation and sustainability. I'm excited to be able to contribute to VPIS growth and resilience in a changing landscape.
VPIS Management & Administration
Alpha Woolrich
"I'm the VPIS Chief Executive Officer and am responsible for leading the delivery of VPIS's strategic initiatives, overseeing the day to day business operations, and liaising with the Board and regulators."
After being introduced to VPIS on my daily commute into Wellington, and joining the team in January 2018, I've quickly found it to be a perfect fit, where I can combine my love for animals and helping people with my unique passions for insurance, risk and analytics.
Trish Thorpe
"I'm the Claims Assistant for VPIS and will usually be the first person you speak to when you ring in to notify VPIS of a claim or complaint you've received from a client."
I have worked for VPIS since 2000 and have developed an in-depth knowledge of the types of claims and stresses that veterinarians face.
Richard Anderson
"I'm the IT Manager for VPIS and focus on IT support, maintaining the claims database and website and attending to any customisation and database reports VPIS needs."
I joined the NZVA and VPIS five years ago and came into the IT world via a happy accident in the early 2000's after dabbling in building and property maintenance. My career has mainly revolved around website and Open Source software development.