A South Wales-based veterinary practice has expanded its team with two vital staff appointments.

Budget Vets welcomes Samya Green, 24, as a new auxiliary nurse in Newport and Kate Richards, 31 as the new branch manager in Porth.

With the business now caring for more than 6,000 pets a month and growing by 18 per cent in 2013, Budget Vets has added to its workforce in a bid to meet growth demands and expansion plans.

Miss Green has completed various hours of work experience and volunteering in veterinary practice and animal shelters.

Samya said: “I have a passion for animals and felt the position with Budget Vets would be perfect for me. I also hope to pursue my training as a veterinary nurse.”

While Miss Richards is tasked with leading the team of vets, nurses and admin staff in the Porth practice as the branch manager.

The branch manager's role within Budget Vets is to facilitate consistency, tailored staff development and change management by acting as a link between staff in each area and the senior management team.

Miss Richards has previous management experience within the public sector and is excited about the challenge ahead:

“Budget Vets has quickly made its mark as a well-respected employer and ambitious practitioner, so I am delighted to join the team in such an integral role. I enjoy leading people and, as branch manager in Porth, I will be able to support my team on the ground and help grow the business and define its direction.

“It is my job to ensure the Porth branch is working in line with the company's processes and brand values so that our stakeholders are happy. I cannot wait to take on the challenge.”

Budget Vets was launched in 2005 by husband and wife, Peter and Katherine Heathcote, as a Newport-based neutering and vaccination clinic. It has since quickly developed into a full service practice with 48 members of staff across branches in Newport, Porth, Risca, Blackwood and Abertillery.

Managing director of Budget Vets, Peter Heathcote, said: “Both Samya and Kate fit perfectly with the Budget Vets brand; they're friendly, professional and strive for improvement. I am sure with our new Gold standard from Investors in People and yearly £40,000 investment in staff training and development, we can help them reach their full potential.

“Our business plan is to open five new branches in the next five years, as pet owners continue to respond well to our reasonably-priced, quality animal care. We are currently consolidating and strengthening our operation to ensure our model ready to be sustainably replicated in new areas.”