My name is Dr Ben Willcocks (BVSc Hons 1 MRCVS), and I’m the founding director, and manager of Vet Locums Abroad.

I’m a veterinarian, and an Australian citizen, currently residing in the UK. I graduated from the University of Qld, Australia in 2008. I’m currently registered as a vet in both the UK and Australia. Over the past 10-15 years, I have worked as both a practice owner & manager, and as a career locum, in both Australia and the UK. I also launched and ran a successful Australian based, online veterinary information resource a few years ago.

I understand the specific priorities and needs of Locum vets & nurses, and practice owners alike. Additionally, I have an extensive knowledge of the differences between the UK and Australia in relation to industry, and veterinary medical care. In addition to the growing network of formal partnerships the company is establishing with practices, volunteer organisations, and travel companies in both Australia and the UK, I have a wealth of contacts in the industry.

Finally, and arguably most importantly, I understand that when it comes to travelling abroad, it’s no fun if it’s all WORK and no PLAY. Which is why we truly focus on ensuring that you strike the right balance of work, and travel, and strive to provide advice, and incorporate your travel and volunteering preferences into the trip. We consider ourselves a travel company that recruits Vets & nurses, not the other way around.

As a company, it was a deliberate measure to use the term “Working Holiday” to describe the service. The end result for you, should be a good balance of work, travel, volunteering, and play, incorporating all of your individual preferences in relation to all of these areas. With a good dose of local advice to steer you in the right direction.

We hope you see the possibilities in this service as much as I do.