Neil Coode
BVSc MRCVS
Director
Neil qualified from Bristol Veterinary College in 1987. He joined Brookmead Veterinary Surgery in 1989 and has built a following of loyal clients with their pets over the 30+ years he has been here. Neil is now a joint Director of Brookmead Veterinary Surgery. He qualified as a Homeopathic Faculty Member in 1998, and people now also refer to him for this and other alternative treatments.
Neil is married to Kath and they have three children – Joe, Callum and Hamish. He enjoys playing and listening to music and is an active member of his local Baptist Church
Neill Horton
BVSc MRCVS
Director
Neill qualified from Liverpool University in 1998. He moved back to Surrey and joined Brookmead Veterinary Surgery in June 2002, becoming a partner in 2007. Neill is now ajoint Director. He likes to see a wide variety of pets and particularly getting to the bottom of complex cases. He will go to great lengths to ensure all the animals get the best treatment he can give.
In his spare time, Neill pursues his lifelong interest in model railways. He also enjoys photography and vegetable gardening.
Tania de Lucia
BSc hons BVSc hons MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Tania joined the team in September 2022.
Tania qualified from the University of Liverpool, with distinction, in 2010.
After working around the country and volunteering at charities abroad, she returned to Surrey.
Tania enjoys all aspects of soft tissue surgery and emergency work and is currently studying to become a specialist emergency and critical care surgeon. Her interests also include working dogs, geriatric patient care, pain management and palliative care.
Tania has two rescue Lakeland terriers called Gin & Fig.
Nursing & Support Team
Claire Lewis
Head RVN &
Clinical Supervisor
Claire initially joined the Brookmead Veterinary team in March 2015, she completed her training with us and qualified as an RVN in 2018. She re-joined the practice as Deputy Head Nurse after a year away in September 2021 & was promoted to Head Nurse in April 2023.
Claire enjoys all aspects of nursing but particularly has a passion for rehabilitation & behaviour. Claire runs our very successful Puppy Parties to get socialisation in as early as possible and also to make vet visits a fun & enjoyable experience all around. Claire is the Clinical Supervisor of our students.
She has 2 rescue terriers; Rascal & Mara. who come along to work with her. In her spare time, Claire plays rugby for Cranleigh RFC and enjoys going for dog walks.
Hazel Taylor
RVN
Hazel qualified in 1993 and after working in general practice moved to a large wildlife hospital before joining us here at Brookmead Veterinary Surgery, June 2012.
Her knowledge of wildlife care has proved invaluable to us when wildlife has been brought into the surgery.
Hazel enjoys wildlife photography. She has worked as a volunteer at several animal charities in the past.
Jessica Redford
Deputy Head RVN
Jess started at Brookmead doing work experience in December 2019. She then moved into a receptionist and a helping hand role, she became a student nurse in January 2021.
She thoroughly enjoys her job and she always loves meeting all animals that come in.
Jess has three animals at home – a black and white mischievous cat called Chester who thinks he’s a dog(!), a black cat called Bobby and a black labradoodle called Wilma.
In her spare time, both Jess and Wilma enjoy going to the beach for walks, or if the conditions are right, they like to go surfing or paddle boarding.
Jess qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in March 2024 and became Deputy Head Nurse in April 2025.
Tamara Winchester
RVN
Tamara joined the Brookmead Team in August 2025 and has been working in the veterinary industry for nine years. She qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in September 2021 and loves all aspects of nursing and feels really lucky to be able to do what she is passionate about every day.
Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, going for walks with her dog, fishing and spending time with friends. At home she has a golden retriever called Bracken and a cat called Tiger who definitely keep things interesting.
Jess Franco
Student
Veterinary Nurse
Jess joined our team in October 2022 and has prior experience in the profession as a Veterinary Receptionist and became a Registered Veterinary Receptionist after completing three separate courses with the BVRA.
Jess has also taken a course in Canine First Aid.
Jess has 4 cats, Felix, Lordie, Minnie & Missy. 3 Beagles, Barney, Buddy & Billy & 2 rescue Terrier X’s, Holly & Ivy
She completed her Veterinary Care Assistant course in September 2024 and will begin her Veterinary Nurse Training in January 2025.
Gina Whitehead
Veterinary Practice
Auxillary
Gina joined the Brookmead team in September 2001 after completing a work experience placement with us. She is often called upon to help the vets by holding anxious pets.
Gina is Brookmead’s longest serving member of staff (exc. Neil Coode).
Gina has a handsome cat called Billy, who is a bluepoint Siamese and likes to keep her on her toes.
Gina became Mrs Whitehead in September 2017 and the couple now have a lovely little boy, Jack, who was born in March 2020. She now has a little girl, Josephine, who was born January 2022.
Reception & Administration Team
Emma Church
Receptionist
Part-time
Emma joined us in October 2011 after taking a break from Veterinary to bring up her son.
Though she has always had cocker spaniels, she recently lost her 13yr old Irish setter called Molly.
Emma works here on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Justine Pelling
Receptionist
Part-time
Justine joined the Brookmead team in May 2015. She works Wednesday-Friday.
In October 2017 Justine completed a part-time course as an Animal Nursing Assistant.
Justine has a Labrador called Henri and a Jackerpoo Billy.
In her spare time she likes to play touch rugby. Justine had a gorgeous baby boy; Finley in January 2019.
Karen Godfree
Receptionist
Part-time
Karen joined Brookmead in January 2019 and after having worked in the health care and education system this is her first role with animals.
Stanley was her family’s very much loved golden retriever. Apart from spending time with her family Karen enjoys picture framing, photography, print making and visiting art galleries.
Eleanor Holt
Receptionist
Part-time
Ele joined our reception team in June 2021. She has previous experience in the veterinary world as a Veterinary Nursing Assistant.
Ele lives locally with her husband, 2 children, 2 dogs, 2 cats and the more recent addition – 2 gerbils.
In her spare time she enjoys paddle boarding and going for long dog walks.
Shannon Potter
Receptionist
Part-time
Shannon joined our reception team in January 2025.
This is her first job working with animals after working in a hairdressers for 9 years.
She enjoys being with her family, walking her Cocker Spaniel Woody, baking and enjoys making wedding stationery in her spare time.
Wendy Line
Practice Manager
& RVN
Wendy joined us in July 2024.
Wendy has been a Registered Veterinary Nurse for many years and has experience in Orthopaedic referrals and Emergency and Critical Care. She has also been a Practice Manager for the last 4 years!
Wendy has a Border Collie called Betty, a Jackerpoo called George and a Cat called Marvin. In her spare time Wendy enjoys doing Dog Agility.
Sarah Lambert
Finance
Manager
Sarah joined the Brookmead team in October 2020 to provide support on the finance side. Sarah is new to the veterinary world and is thoroughly enjoying learning the ropes! she was previously a school bursar for many years.
Sarah is much involved with Cranleigh Riding for the Disabled Association, being both coach and Treasurer for the Group.
Sarah enjoys dog walks, horse riding, cooking and reading.
Liz Rapley
Administrator
Liz joined the Brookmead team in the Spring of 2015. She works part-time in the office, and at reception. Liz has a number of years experience working in the veterinary world and previous Secretarial work.
Liz lives with her husband, daughter, lively Springer Spaniel and guinea pig.
Hobbies are dressmaking, gardening and singing in a local choir.