Meet our Team
Dr Steve Harris
Clinical Director
BVSc MRCVSSteve qualified from Bristol University back in July 1997. He started working at Charter Vets as a new graduate in October 1997 after a short locum stint at his home in Jersey. For his first 3 years, he worked as a mixed small animal and farm animal vet. The following 3 years were spent travelling, mostly in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, working at various practices at home and abroad as a locum. He was then enticed back to Congleton to lead the small animal team and since then has concentrated just on small animal work. Steve became a partner of Charter in 2005 and then a partner in the wider Willows group after the merger in 2015. He currently is the Clinical Director at Congleton heading up a great team of vets, nurses, and reception staff under the Vet Partners banner.. Steve enjoys the variety of all aspects of small animal work, especially surgery. Outside of work he enjoys mountain biking, skiing, and windsurfing. He has a black Labrador called Rio, 4 chickens and 2 Guinea Pigs.
Dr Elspeth Riley
Veterinary Surgeon
BVMS MRCVSDr Chloe Parrish
Veterinary Surgeon
BVM BVS MRCVSChloe graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2022. She began seeing practice at the Congleton branch in 2014 and continued doing so throughout her studies at university, then Chloe joined the Charter Vets team as a vet after graduation. Chloe enjoys all aspects of small animal practice but has a particular interest in cardiology. Outside of work, Chloe enjoys dancing, horse riding, and spending time with her Silver Labrador, Bailey!
Dr Claudia De Freitas
Veterinary Surgeon
BVSc MRCVSClaudia graduated from the University of Pretoria in 2022 and she then spent a year working at a branch of the Garden Route SPCA and State Vet in Mossel Bay, Western Cape, South Africa. After a year of welfare work, Claudia decided to pursue her passion in small animals coupled with the adventure of moving abroad and joined Charter Vets. In particular, Claudia has an interest in small animal internal medicine and surgery.
In her spare time, Claudia really enjoys the outdoors – in particular hiking with her husband and their dog, Khaleesi. On her down days she also enjoys crocheting in the company of her cats at home.
Jessica Munday
Veterinary Surgeon
BVetMed MRCVSJess graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in July 2015 and has worked in small animal practice since. Before joining Charter Vets, Jess spent some time travelling around Australia and New Zealand with her husband and volunteered at a charity veterinary practice in the Cook Islands.
Jess enjoys small animal general practice and is particularly interested in feline medicine. She has two cats at home – Olive and Ron.
In her spare time Jess enjoys horse riding and various arts and crafts. She always has a crochet project on the go and especially enjoys pottery painting.
Renata Lopez-Gatell
Veterinary Surgeon
MRCVSRenata graduated from the University of Bristol in 2022. Renata joined the Willows Vet Group as a vet after graduation but joined the Congleton branch in August 2024. Renata enjoys all aspects of small animal practice but has a particular interest in soft tissue surgery and ophthalmology. In her spare time, Renata likes to keep fit and competes in CrossFit events.
Marion Collins
Practice Co-ordinator
Lisa Paszek
Head Nurse
RVNLisa started at Charter Vets in 2013 whilst carrying out an extended Diploma Level 3 in Animal Management at Reaseheath college.
After completing her Diploma, she went on to university to qualify as a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
Claire Palin
Registered Veterinary Nurse
RVNI started training as a veterinary nurse in 2004 in a referral hospital and moved to a first opinion practice when I qualified in 2006. I enjoy all aspects of nursing but have a keen interest in nursing clinics and clinical coaching. I joined Charter in 2020.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my husband and two boys as well as our two sausage dogs and cat.
Mandy Cooper
Registered Veterinary Nurse
RVNHannah Cotterill
Registered Veterinary Nurse
RVNRebecca Dawes
Registered Veterinary Nurse
RVNJess Andow
Student Veterinary Nurse
I first came to charter as a work experience student in the summer of 2019. I qualified as a VCA in September 2020.
Started my Vet nursing apprenticeship in September 2021, currently in 2nd. I have a passion for inpatient care and nurse consultations.
I am a mummy to 2 Labradors and 3 cats who are my absolute world. I live on a dairy and beef farm and would love to incorporate my love for large animals with small animal practice in the future
Gemma Tranter
Head Receptionist
BVRA Accredited Veterinary Receptionist (AVR), SQP-CFGemma has worked in veterinary practice since 2005 and started at Charter in 2013. Although Gemma’s role is as a receptionist she has a wealth of clinical knowledge, having started her career as a Student Veterinary Nurse studying Veterinary Nursing at Rodbaston College. Gemma has a keen interest in the Insurance and admin aspect of her role and takes care of the insurance claims for a number of our branches. Gemma has achieved her British Veterinary Receptionist Association Gold Award to become an Accredited Veterinary Receptionist, and has also completed her SQP qualification for both Companion and Farm species, allowing her to advise and dispense certain Veterinary Medicines.
Gemma is passionate about Spaniels and has her hands full with her Cocker Spaniel Hugo. Outside of work Gemma enjoys eating out, walking in the countryside and spending free weekends in Abersoch!
Tracy Garside
Receptionist
Tracy has been part of the Charter team since 2006 working both in the farm office and on the reception desk.
A true animal lover, Tracy has 4 cats, 2 of which were rescue cats that needed a loving home.
Katie Nolan
Receptionist
BVRA Accredited Veterinary Receptionist (AVR)Katie joined the practice in October 2018. She grew up in Australia and New Zealand and is the proud owner of two Chihuahua's, Lily and Leo. Katie has completed the BVRA Intermediate Course to become an Accredited Veterinary Receptionist. In her spare time she enjoys horse riding, reading and baking cupcakes.
Emma Wilmot
Receptionist
Colourful CPD Bronze AwardEmma joined the team in January 2021.
She grew up on a local dairy farm and has always had a love of animals.
Outside of work Emma enjoys family life and walking her border terrier Fergie.
Stephanie Dale
Receptionist
CVD and Bronze awardStephanie joined the reception team in June 2021. She has previously worked in other animal settings, and has a degree in Animal Behaviour.
Stephanie’s favourite animals are primates. Outside of work she is kept busy with her 2 year old son and her 7 year old Mastiff.
Scarlett Luby
Animal Care Assistant
