BVA Live 2026: programme line-up announced

The line-up includes sessions with expert speakers and panellists touching on the issues which matter the most to the veterinary profession today. These include practical guidance to help prepare for requirements coming out of the Competition and Market Authority (CMA) investigation into veterinary services for household pets; updates in clinical practice and leadership in the workplace; and the role of vets in ethical decision making.  

BVA Live, which takes place on 11-12 June at the NEC in Birmingham, offers 17 hours of stimulating CPD and the chance for veterinary professionals to connect with colleagues and learn about new developments in the veterinary sector.  

Programme highlights include: 

• Managing complaints post-CMA, what do you need to know?: The CMA investigation will bring about significant changes including a potential new requirement for all small animal practices to have a standardised complaints process, with mandatory participation in mediation, where appropriate. BVA President Rob Williams, Jennie Jones, Head of Veterinary Client Mediation Service and Gavin Durston, Director of Thrums Vets, will use the session to explore what this could mean in the consult room, what vet teams may need to understand about CMA expectations, how to handle complaints effectively and transparently, and how to prepare for - and participate in - mediation constructively. 

• Hot topic: CMA remedies – what do they mean in practice?: Based on the latest updates from the CMA, he panel, made up of BVA President Rob Williams, Kate Higgins, owner and Director of Village Vets Formby and Lyndsay Hughes, BVNA Senior Vice President, will debate where we are with the investigation, what comes next, and the possible impact of the CMA remedies on practices. 

• Do vets have a role in ethical decision making, or is it all just about animal welfare?: BVA Senior Vice President Elizabeth Mullineaux; Hamish Morrin, Veterinary Lecturer in Clinical Communication Skills at University of Lancashire; Sean Wensley, Research and Policy Advisor at CIWF International; and Rebecca Swan, Veterinary Surgeon at Brighton University, will debate where ethical responsibility sits, how it differs from welfare assessment and what practical frameworks can help vets make defensible, compassionate decisions in real world cases. 

• Leadership: Lessons every new leader needs to hear: Led by BVA Junior Vice President Gwen Rees with panellists Francesca Verney, Veterinary Director of Pet People; Fiona Leathers, Director of Operations at Westport Veterinary Clinic; and Lyndsay Hughes, BVNA Senior Vice President, the session will explore real-world examples of leadership, how to develop as a better leader and navigate team dynamics.  

The programme also includes sessions covering a wide range of specialisms and clinical content, providing accessible CPD for vets at every stage of their careers. Highlights from the clinical streams include euthanasia in small mammals, birds and reptiles; anaesthesia in comorbid patients; updates in ocular pharmacology; optimizing hospital care for long-term patients; and managing anxiety in “pandemic puppies”.   

The BVA Interactive Zone also returns with the BVA team - President Rob Williams, Senior Vice President Elizabeth Mullineaux and Junior Vice President Gwen Rees - leading debates on the hottest topics, including overtreatment, managing and improving a toxic workplace and contextualised care.  

British Veterinary Association President Dr Rob Williams MRCVS said: “As the profession emerges from the CMA investigation, BVA Live will be one of the first opportunities for vet teams to come together to access practical CPD to move forwards and comply with the CMA remedies. This year’s programme dives into a number of areas where we expect the CMA will be looking for change, particularly when it comes to handling complaints and improving transparency.  

“BVA Live is always a great opportunity to meet with colleagues from across the profession, to share your views and benefit from the experiences of other veterinary professionals, and this year we’re expecting even more people than ever. We look forward to seeing you there.” 

The full BVA Live programme is available on  the website.  

BVA members can still get your fully funded ticket, click here to find out more.  

 
BVA Awards 

There’s still time to nominate an exceptional vet for a BVA Award. This year, the BVA Awards dinner is moving to BVA Live and will be hosted at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Thursday 11 June 2026.   

As well the prestigious BVA Young Vet of the Year, the BVA Awards dinner will see the presentation of:  

• BVA Wellbeing Awards 

• BVA Veterinary Mentor Award 

• BVA One Health and Sustainability Award 

• BVA Veterinary Leader Award 

• BVA Outstanding Service Award 

• BVA Advancement of Veterinary Science Award (Dalrymple-Champneys Cup and Medal) 

• BVA Animal Health and Welfare Overseas Award (J.Trevor Blackburn Award) 

• Vet Record Impact Award  

• Worldwide Veterinary Service Global Veterinary Challenge Award, in association with BVA.  

To make a nomination or for more information about the awards, visit https://www.bva.co.uk/membership/bva-awards-2026/