John Read
The Friendly Recruiter | Founder & CEO – Veterinary Recruitment Specialist
About John
John Read BA (Hons) is the founder and CEO of Supreme Search Specialists, a multi-award-winning veterinary recruitment agency operating across the United Kingdom, the United States and multiple countries worldwide. Known across the profession as "The Friendly Recruiter," John has built one of the world's most respected and trusted veterinary recruitment, staffing and talent acquisition teams — helping veterinary professionals on both sides of the Atlantic find careers they want to stay in.
2019
Founded Supreme Search Specialists
~10 Years
Specialist veterinary recruitment experience
UK · USA · Global
Veterinary recruitment across multiple countries
Multi-Award
Winning veterinary recruitment agency
About John Read — Founder, CEO & "The Friendly Recruiter"
John founded Supreme Search Specialists in 2019 with a single mission: to revolutionise veterinary recruitment by treating people with compassion and respect. Frustrated by an industry that too often valued quantity over quality, he set out to build the opposite — a veterinary recruitment agency where candidates are listened to, clients are matched honestly, and nobody is pressured into a role that isn't right for them.
Today, Supreme Search Specialists is one of the most trusted veterinary recruiters in the world, operating across the UK, the USA and multiple international markets. John brings nearly a decade of veterinary recruitment expertise to every placement and, despite leading the business, continues to work directly with veterinary candidates and clients on a daily basis — the only way, he believes, to truly stay in touch with the realities of the profession.
John leads the company alongside Director Nick Gray and a wider team of veterinary recruitment specialists supporting independent practices and corporate veterinary groups in both the UK and USA.
John's Approach to Veterinary Recruitment
1
Pressure-Free Recruitment
No candidate is ever pressured into accepting a position that isn't right for them, and no client is ever sent a candidate who isn't the right fit for their practice. Honesty first — always.
2
People-First Philosophy
Treating veterinary professionals with compassion and respect isn't a slogan — it's the entire reason Supreme Search Specialists exists. John believes the future of the profession depends on retaining the great people already in it.
3
Hands-On Leadership
Most agency owners step away from day-to-day recruitment. John doesn't. He still speaks with veterinary candidates and clients every day, keeping Supreme Search connected to what the profession actually needs.
Veterinary Conference Speaker
John regularly shares his insights on recruitment, retention and staff wellbeing on the global veterinary stage.
🇬🇧 London Vet Show
Panel speaker on veterinary recruitment, retention and building stable teams.
🇺🇸 New York Vet Show
Panel speaker on recruitment and retention strategies for US veterinary practices.
🌴 VMX Florida
Speaker on staff retention and practice management for US veterinary teams.
Veterinary Recruitment Specialisms
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Veterinary Surgeons
- Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs)
- Clinical Directors
- Medical Directors
- Veterinary Leadership & Senior Appointments
🇺🇸 United States
- Veterinarians (DVMs)
- Medical Directors
- ER Veterinarians
- Urgent Care Veterinarians
- Practice Partners
Where John & His Team Recruit
Supreme Search Specialists supports veterinary recruitment across:
United Kingdom
United States
+ multiple countries worldwide
UK Offices
- 📍 Yorkshire HQ — Harrogate
- 📍 North West — Greater Manchester
US Contact
- 📞 (786) 633-2054
Why Veterinary Professionals & Practices Choose John Read
- A respected veterinary recruiter and headhunter trusted across the UK and US markets
- Direct access to a founder-led veterinary recruitment agency who still works the desk every day
- A pressure-free, people-first approach to veterinary careers — newly qualified through to senior leadership
- Honest matching: candidates and practices are only introduced when both are genuinely the right fit
- Access to live UK and USA veterinary jobs, including roles not advertised publicly
- Backed by a multi-award-winning team featured at London Vet Show, New York Vet Show and VMX Florida
As Featured In
Independent industry press & recognition for John Read and Supreme Search Specialists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is John Read?
John Read BA (Hons) is the founder and CEO of Supreme Search Specialists, a multi-award-winning veterinary recruitment agency operating across the UK, the USA and multiple countries worldwide. He is known throughout the veterinary profession as "The Friendly Recruiter."
Why is John Read known as "The Friendly Recruiter"?
The nickname was given to John by clients and candidates within the veterinary industry, in recognition of his approachable, pressure-free and people-first approach to veterinary recruitment. It was first heard at London Vet Show and confirmed shortly afterwards by a client at VMX Florida.
What is Supreme Search Specialists?
Supreme Search Specialists is a multi-award-winning veterinary recruitment agency founded by John Read in 2019. The agency supports veterinary professionals and veterinary practices across the UK, the USA and multiple countries worldwide.
Where does Supreme Search Specialists recruit?
Across the United Kingdom, the United States and multiple countries worldwide. UK offices are based in Harrogate (Yorkshire) and Greater Manchester, with a dedicated US contact line for veterinary professionals and clinics in America.
Does John still work directly with veterinary candidates and clients?
Yes. Despite leading the company, John continues to work as a recruiter on a daily basis, speaking with veterinary candidates and clients in both the UK and USA. It's how he keeps Supreme Search Specialists genuinely connected to the realities of the profession.
Which veterinary conferences does John Read speak at?
John regularly speaks at major international veterinary conferences including London Vet Show, New York Vet Show and VMX Florida, focusing on veterinary recruitment, staff retention and building stable veterinary teams.
How can I contact John Read?
You can connect with John directly on LinkedIn, get in touch via the Supreme Search Specialists contact page, or call the team in the UK on 01423 594537 or in the US on (786) 633-2054.
Talk to John, "The Friendly Recruiter"
Whether you're a veterinary professional considering your next career move, or a practice looking to hire — get a pressure-free, people-first conversation with John today.
Outside of work, John loves to explore the mountains both in the UK and overseas, and is forever in search of the best undiscovered places to eat.
Recent jobs
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is "The Friendly Recruiter"?
John Read, founder and CEO of Supreme Search Specialists, was nicknamed "The Friendly Recruiter" by clients and candidates in recognition of his pressure-free, people-first approach to veterinary recruitment.
What is Supreme Search Specialists?
A multi-award-winning veterinary recruitment agency founded in 2019 by John Read, placing veterinarians, RVNs, clinical directors and medical directors across the UK, USA and Canada.
Where do you recruit?
Across the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, with offices in Harrogate and Greater Manchester and a US contact line.
What roles do you recruit for?
Veterinarians, veterinary surgeons, RVNs, associate vets, emergency and urgent care vets, clinical directors, medical directors and senior veterinary leadership.
Is Supreme Search Specialists award-winning?
Yes – Veterinary Recruitment Agency of the Year (England), Ethical Recruitment Excellence Award, and recognition from Corporate Vision and London Vet Show.
How is your approach different?
Pressure-free, honest, retention-focused. Candidates are never pushed into the wrong role and practices only receive candidates who genuinely fit.
How can I contact John?
Use the contact page, email info@supreme-ss.com, call 01423 594537 (UK) or (786) 633-2054 (US), or connect on LinkedIn.