The people who will look after your pet
Poppy and Bill founded the practice in 2011 and both still consult. Since then not one vet has left, which is why you tend to see the same face each time you come in.
Between them the team holds RCVS certificates in small animal medicine and in surgery, and our nurses run their own clinics. Everything is done here, in house, by people who already know your pet.
No one in that department yet.
Veterinary Surgeons
Bill Besley BVMS Cert SAM MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon / Director
After graduating in 1993 from Glasgow University Bill has lived and worked in East Anglia ever since. Pursuing a special interest in veterinary internal medicine Bill gained the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Medicine in 2002 and continues to follow his passion for helping animals with their often complex medical conditions. Bill founded Ash Tree Vets in 2011 with fellow Director Poppy.
Veterinary Surgeons
Poppy Tunstill BVetMed(Hons) MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon / Director
Poppy graduated with honours from the Royal Veterinary College in 2004 and has worked in Suffolk her whole career. She enjoys all areas of veterinary medicine and surgery and has a particular interest in working dogs. Poppy founded Ash Tree Vets in 2011 with fellow Director Bill.
Veterinary Surgeons
Maryrose Mitchell BVM&S MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon / Associate Partner
Maryrose graduated from Edinburgh University in 2006, and has lived and worked in the Newmarket area ever since. She joined Ash Tree in 2012 and enjoys all aspects of companion animal medicine and surgery, with a particular interest in ophthalmology in cats and dogs.
Veterinary Surgeons
Tessa Sander BVSc MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon / Associate Partner
Tessa graduated from Bristol University in 2006 and joined Ash Tree Vets in 2012. Tessa enjoys all aspects of companion animal medicine and surgery, with a particular love and interest in caring for our feline patients.
Veterinary Surgeons
Georgina Jones BVetMed MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Georgina graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2013 and joined Ash Tree Vets in 2015. Georgina is passionate about veterinary soft tissue surgery and has a particular soft spot for our canine friends, especially Setters!
Veterinary Surgeons
Juliet Harber BVSc MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Juliet graduated from Bristol University in 2016 joined the Ash Tree team in 2020. Juliet is passionate about her profession with a love of all small animals and a special place in her heart for Dachshunds and Cocker Spaniels!
Veterinary Surgeons
Amanda Davies MA VetMB MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Amanda qualified from Cambridge Veterinary School in 1991, having also completed a degree in Biological Anthropology. Amanda has worked in East Anglia her entire career and joined Ash Tree Vets in 2021, having worked with vets Poppy, Bill and Tessa in a previous practice. Amanda has a keen interest in all aspects of veterinary medicine and surgery and is an avid cat lover.
Veterinary Surgeons
Natasha Legg BVM BVS MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Tash joined the veterinary team at Ash Tree in 2022 having spent time with us throughout her years at university. She is passionate about the care of your pets; and has a soft spot for Labradors!
Veterinary Surgeons
Shanley Barber DVM MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Shanley graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada in 1999. She has worked in our local area for over 20 years and joined Ash Tree Vets in 2023. Shanley is a brilliant all round veterinary surgeon but does have a keen interest in getting involved in the more complex medical and dermatology cases!
Veterinary Surgeons
Alice Larwood VetMB MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Alice joined Ash Tree Vets in 2024, having been in practice in East Anglia for over 15 years. Alice lives at home on her dairy farm with her husband and twin boys. She has a particular interest in imaging and soft tissue surgery.
Veterinary Nurses
Laura Moore RVN
Head Nurse
Laura joined the team in 2014 as registered veterinary nurse and also holds an Advanced Diploma in Canine Behaviour Management. As well as her Head Nursing duties, Laura offers behaviour clinics and advice and is always on hand for any feline or canine behaviour related questions.
Veterinary Nurses
Kerry Burns RVN
Senior Veterinary Nurse
Kerry qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2016 from Anglia Ruskin University and the College of West Anglia and joined us shortly after and has been an integral member of our team since. Kerry has a passion for theatre nursing caring for patients admitted to the practice.
Veterinary Nurses
Sally Gray RVN
Senior Veterinary Nurse
After qualifying as a veterinary nurse in 2018 at The College of Animal Welfare and joined us in 2021 after relocating from Hertfordshire. Sally enjoys the huge variety of roles that nursing brings and is keen to continue to expand her knowledge and interest in canine and feline behaviour.
Veterinary Nurses
Bethany Abrahams RVN
Senior Veterinary Nurse
Having graduated with a degree Marine Biology, Biodiversity and Conservation in 2016, Beth joined the Ash Tree team in the summer of 2018, and went on to qualify as a Veterinary Nurse in the summer of 2021. Beth is passionate about theatre and surgical nursing and is enjoying developing her skills and knowledge further.
Veterinary Nurses
Jessica Franklin RVN
Senior Veterinary Nurse
Jess joined the nursing team in 2022 and became a senior nurse in 2025. She has a passion for feline care and is involved in training our student nurses and helping them to pass their exams.
Veterinary Nurses
Jessica A'Court RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Jess joined the nurse training team in 2019 and completed her Veterinary Nursing qualification in 2021. Jess enjoys travelling, going for long walks, and cooking for friends and family!
Veterinary Nurses
Abigail Fryatt RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Abbey joined the team in 2024 having worked locally for the past few years. Abbey is a fantastic addition to the team and especially loves all things Dachshund related!
Veterinary Nurses
Hannah Almond RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Hannah grew up around animals, being lucky enough to own and compete several of her own horses. She graduated from Aberystwyth University in 2000 with a BSc (Hons) Equine Science degree and enjoyed stud work, before working at an equine hospital which began her veterinary nursing journey. She then moved into mixed practice and qualified as an RVN in 2005. Hannah held senior roles in both first opinion and referral practices before moving into university lecturing eight years ago, teaching and managing programmes for both vets and nurses. Hannah returned to primary care nursing and joined our team in 2024. Hannah enjoys all aspects of nursing and holds additional qualifications in anaesthesia, critical care and resuscitation.
Veterinary Nurses
Maddy Starling RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Maddy joined Ash Tree as a trainee veterinary nurse in 2021 and after 4 years of hard study became fully qualified in 2025. She has always had a passion for veterinary nursing and completing her qualification here at Ash Tree is a dream come true!
Veterinary Nurses
Sophie Richards RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Growing up surrounded by animals, Sophie joined us in the Spring of 2022 and began her veterinary nurse training shortly after. Sophie passed her final exams and qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in July 2025 and is a valuable member of our team.
Veterinary Nurses
Emily Macklin RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Emily qualified in 2022 and joined our nursing team in 2025. She particularly enjoys working in theatre alongside the vets and assisting animals who are recovering in our hospital.
Veterinary Nurses
Holly Woolley RVN
Veterinary Nurse
After studying a Veterinary Nursing degree at Harper Adams University Holly joined Ash Tree Vets in 2025. Although she enjoys all aspects of her role, patient care is Holly’s main focus at the practice.
Veterinary Nurses
Ellen Broom SVN
Student Veterinary Nurse
Ellen joined the practice in 2023 as an apprentice veterinary nurse, hoping to fulfil her dream of becoming a veterinary nurse. Ellen works alongside the RVNs and vets helping to look after all of our patients during their stay with us. Alongside working with us, Ellen is studying at the Dick White Academy, working towards her Level 3 diploma veterinary nurse qualification.
Reception & Support Staff
Amy Taylor-Holt RVN
Practice Manager / RVN
Amy has been at Ash Tree since we opened in 2011. After being our head nurse for almost 10 years, she is now our Practice Manager. Amy is keeping her hand in with her veterinary nursing skills whilst managing all the other things which keep us ticking. She has a full menagerie at home including dogs, cats, ponies, chickens and her young family!
Reception & Support Staff
Rachel Moakes SQP
Practice Administrator
Rachel joined the practice shortly after we opened in 2011 as our Head Receptionist. After over a decade in the role she’s recently moved to a Practice Administrator position where she also handles your pets insurance claims. She has a soft spot for “long-dogs” and has a 3 legged rescue lurcher.
Reception & Support Staff
Layla Harriman
Head Receptionist
Following a career in the NHS, Layla joined the Ash Tree front of house team in 2017 and now heads up the team alongside Rachel. Layla is a cat lover and has a very soft spot for our feline patients when they visit the practice.
Reception & Support Staff
Karen Asplen RVN
Receptionist / RVN
Karen began her career in veterinary nursing 2006, joining the Ash Tree team in 2016. Karen has a passion for all aspects of client care and can be found working alongside our front of house team at reception. She has a particular soft spot for Border Terriers!
Reception & Support Staff
Georgina Payne
Receptionist
Georgina joined the reception team in 2020 after over a decade in an equine hospital. She has a collection of various animals at home including horses, dogs, chickens and ducks!
Reception & Support Staff
Liana Pennell
Receptionist
Liana joined our reception team in 2023 having worked in other veterinary settings locally. She enjoys meeting all of our lovely clients and cuddling their pets!
Reception & Support Staff
David Thulborn
Receptionist
David joined the team in 2024 having previously worked in childcare. They say never work with children or animals so David chose to try both! He is a true animal lover and loves spending time with his Labradoodle Frank!
Reception & Support Staff
Jane Hutchinson
Receptionist
Jane joined Ash Tree in 2024 having previously worked locally at another veterinary practice. She is a true animal lover and enjoys spending time with her working Labs Lunar and Star or chilling out with cat Dotty.
Reception & Support Staff
Faith Plummer
Receptionist
Faith joined the practice in 2025 after previously working in education. She’s quickly become part of our welcoming front of house team. Outside of work she enjoys travelling, keeping fit, cooking and art.
Join the practice
Register your pet and you will see the same team each time you come in.