Headquarters
2/3 Carlaw Road
Pinnaclehill Industrial Estate
Kelso
TD5 8AS
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1896 849 641
Mon to Fri: 9am – 5pm
David grew up in Yorkshire, then came north of the Border to study at the Dick Vet in Edinburgh, qualifying in 1987. With thirty years as a practising vet David has a wealth of experience but is always keen to try new things, and is constantly on the look out for the latest innovations and the newest technology in the veterinary world so that we can pass them on to our customers!
Married to Sally, they have three grown up children and a multitude of animals including horses, sheep, chickens and dogs – David blames this motley collection on Sally’s inability to turn down a pair of pleading eyes, immaterial of whether their owner has paws, claws or hooves.
Having worked in the veterinary industry since leaving university, Niki now brings that experience to the day to day running of Merlin Vet. Responsible for looking after all our clients, Niki carries out purchasing and pricing to make sure that everyone gets the best quality product at the best possible price. Niki’s speciality is sourcing niche and obscure product – the more bizarre the better; she loves a challenge!
Niki spends as much time as she can in the saddle with her horse Jeffrey, and also goes running with dogs Boris and Alfie. When she has a spare minute she manages to fit in the occasional meal or trip out with husband Alistair and children Charlotte and James. Alistair has threatened to move into the stables to see if he too will then be treated to the same regime as the equine family of cuddles, cleaning and regular meals…
Robert Anderson, long term farm vet in Kelso, now a Director and Chairman of MerlinVet since 2018. I look after the Lane Manufacturing bull equipment sales and run bull and ram fertility courses, as well as checking out novel equipment and medicine solutions for farm animals.
Outside work, I’m happy to be outdoors with our dogs, or on bikes, canoes or skis.
Fiona has worked for Merlin Vet for many years becoming full time as our business expanded in 2016. Fiona has the important job of managing our ever expanding range of stock, and overseeing client orders.
At home, Fiona has managed to persuade her son to leave, but has quickly filled the gap with Norfolk Terrier Tilly, six ferrets (including mum Pip, and her babies The Pipettes) and two Harris Hawks. Oh yes, and husband Ian. When not looking after the animals, Fiona enjoys taking Tillly for long walks, and drinking cocktails with Ian… but not at the same time.
Clare joined MerlinVet as UK Sales Representative in 2017, having previously worked in veterinary sales for 7 Years. Her schedule is divided between advising clients in person and working in the MerlinVet office.
In addition, Clare runs her own scanning business and helps out on the family farm – all while keeping two small children amused. In her rare windows of free time, she can be found out on the hills training her collies and spaniels.
Helen joined the team in 2019 as a Veterinary Consultant and Responsible Person. She graduated from the Dick Vet and since then has worked within the veterinary industry in a variety of clinical positions. She now offers veterinary support and advice to our clients while overseeing the regulatory side of our wholesale licence.
She is married to a vet and has two children, plus cats, chickens, guinea pigs and a new puppy.
Bec started with Merlin in 2014, when sister Niki offered an opportunity to return to work after taking time out to have babies (who are now obviously quite big). Initially doing a bit of everything, from answering phones to packing orders, as the company has expanded Bec now primarily deals with UK orders and importing stock. Away from the office, she loves cooking and is also a keen trail runner who is always trying to recruit colleagues to run up big hills for fun!
Pam joined our team in April 19 as our administrative assistant who is now Customer Support and Administration, she primarily deals with our UK customers placing orders and dealing with phone enquiries and emails, Pam is the “organised one in the office”.
At home Pam has a partner and two children plus a spoilt Jack Russell called Buddy who she loves taking out on long walks in the countryside.
Catherine joined Merlin in 2020 as part of our finance team.
Jill joined Merlin in 2023 as our Veterinary Advisor and RP.
Hello, my name is George Taylor and I joined Merlin in July 2022. I worked for Merlin shipping orders when it first began trading back in 2013, out of the old veterinary practice in Galashiels. During Covid, I did a similar role for several months. Now, I am happy to say I am part of a busy finance department and a proud founder of Bake-Off Thursdays. Myla, aged 2, is my pet and office dog who regularly makes a mess of our office floor with endless fluff from her toys.
Michael Hyslop
Warehouse Team
Michael joined the Merlin Vet warehouse team in July 2018.
Cammie Bell
Warehouse Team
I’m Cammy, I’m am part of the warehouse team and joined Merlin in May 2019. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with Family, wife Annie, kids Eva and Mya and dog Meca. I also enjoy following my local football team (with whom I used to play) and my favourite professional team. I love music and enjoy going to see live bands, I also enjoy socialising with friends over a drink or two.
Ciaran Hogg
Warehouse Team
Ciaran joined the Merlin Vet warehouse team in December 2020.
Tina Chesser
Warehouse Team
Tina joined the Merlin Vet warehouse team in January 2021.
Alfie
Office Mascot
At three, Alfie should be a mature and sensible dog but he’s discovered that pretending to be a puppy gets him more attention! His roles include receiving stock (or should we say licking the delivery drivers and then climbing into their vans), shredding waste packaging materials, and thinking (with his eyes shut, emitting the occasional snore).
Alfie is very supportive of any office diets and helps us stay trim by stealing lunch out of any bags that anyone is silly enough to leave below desk height!
David Taylor
Managing Director
[email protected]
David grew up in Yorkshire, then came north of the Border to study at the Dick Vet in Edinburgh, qualifying in 1987. With thirty years as a practising vet David has a wealth of experience but is always keen to try new things, and is constantly on the look out for the latest innovations and the newest technology in the veterinary world so that we can pass them on to our customers!
Married to Sally, they have three grown up children and a multitude of animals including horses, sheep, chickens and dogs – David blames this motley collection on Sally’s inability to turn down a pair of pleading eyes, immaterial of whether their owner has paws, claws or hooves.
Niki Kinghorn
Director
[email protected]
Having worked in the veterinary industry since leaving university, Niki now brings that experience to the day to day running of Merlin Vet. Responsible for looking after all our clients, Niki carries out purchasing and pricing to make sure that everyone gets the best quality product at the best possible price. Niki’s speciality is sourcing niche and obscure product – the more bizarre the better; she loves a challenge!
Niki spends as much time as she can in the saddle with her horse Jeffrey, and also goes running with dogs Boris and Alfie. When she has a spare minute she manages to fit in the occasional meal or trip out with husband Alistair and children Charlotte and James. Alistair has threatened to move into the stables to see if he too will then be treated to the same regime as the equine family of cuddles, cleaning and regular meals…
Robert Anderson
Company Director
[email protected]
Prior to moving away from clinical work in general veterinary practice, Robert was involved in large scale, dairy and beef suckler herd health and fertility management, with a special interest in breeding bull management.
Within our team, Robert is responsible for the supply of the Lane Manufacturing range of bull fertility equipment, plus any customer support required. Robert is also involved in sourcing novel approaches to farm animal disease management and control.
Fiona Hogg
Stock Control & Customer Service
[email protected]
Fiona has worked for Merlin Vet for many years becoming full time as our business expanded in 2016. Fiona has the important job of managing our ever expanding range of stock, and overseeing client orders.
At home, Fiona has managed to persuade her son to leave, but has quickly filled the gap with Norfolk Terrier Tilly, six ferrets (including mum Pip, and her babies The Pipettes) and two Harris Hawks. Oh yes, and husband Ian. When not looking after the animals, Fiona enjoys taking Tillly for long walks, and drinking cocktails with Ian… but not at the same time.
Clare Walsh
UK Sales Manager
[email protected]
In 2017 Clare joined the team to take over UK Sales. Splitting her time between the office and the road, Clare is an expert in animal fertility and scanning. She is bringing her expertise in that field to our customers, promoting our range of fertility equipment, and also making UK vets aware of our special import services and sourcing abilities.
Life just got a little more hectic with the arrival of baby Gregor but Clare still makes time for her two beloved gun dogs, a horse, a small herd of shorthorn cattle and her husband!
Helen Matthews
Veterinary Advisor
[email protected]
After graduating from Edinburgh Vet school in 2006, Helen has worked within the veterinary industry in a variety of clinical positions. Helen joined the Merlin Vet team in 2019 as a veterinary advisor.
Helen is married to a local vet, has two small children plus two ginger cats, that all keep her pretty busy. She also enjoys baking, gardening and pilates.
Rebecca “Bec” Davidson
Accounts & Finance
[email protected]
Bec joined Merlin in 2016 as part of our finance team. She carries out day to day office administration, taking queries over the phone and managing our online presense. She is currently undergoing training in International Documentation and Customs Compliance to help make sure that all our overseas orders are despatched and delivered smoothly.
Bec is a keen baker, but with one large horse and two small children to look after doesn’t get as much opportunity to bake as she would like. Having taken up running in order to burn off all the cakes and biscuits, she is contemplating dragging the other office runners to an organised run … Watch this space!
Pam Spink
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
Pam joined our team in April 2019 as our administrative assistant. She carries out all the essential office duties, including fielding general enquiries over the phone, replying to emails and endless filing, among many other things.
At home Pam has a partner and two children plus a cheeky Jack Russell called Buddy.
Michael Hyslop
Warehouse Team
Michael joined the Merlin Vet warehouse team in July 2018.
Cammie Bell
Warehouse Team
Cammie joined the Merlin Vet warehouse team in June 2019.