BVA Young Vet of the Year 2026 finalists unveiled

Three early career vets have been shortlisted for the prestigious BVA Young Vet of the Year 2026, sponsored by Zoetis. Now in its ninth year, the award celebrates inspirational vets in the first stages of their professional career and Dr Jade Urquhart-Gilmore, Dr Anna Hewison and Dr Rachael White have been shortlisted.  

Seven veterinary workplaces have been shortlisted for the BVA Wellbeing Awards, supported by ManyPets. The BVA Wellbeing Awards recognise veterinary workplaces that go above and beyond to support and enhance team wellbeing as highlighted in the Good Veterinary Workplaces Voluntary Code.  

The finalists are: Thrums Vets, based in the North-East of Scotland; Chapelfield Vets, Norwich; Vets for Pets Rugby, Warwickshire; Bold Vets, in St Helens, Merseyside; Vets for Pets Kirkcaldy, based in Fife, Scotland; Seaham Vets, County Durham; and SonoPath. 

The winners will be announced at the BVA Awards Dinner at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on the first day of BVA Live - Thursday 11 June 2026. Alongside Young Vet of the Year and the Wellbeing Awards, BVA has today also unveiled the finalists of its new awards: 

• BVA Veterinary Mentor Award, supported by Hill’s Pet Nutrition; 

• BVA Veterinary Leader Award, supported by Vetnique - YuMOVE Veterinary; and 

• BVA One Health and Sustainability Award.  

The BVA Awards recognise inspirational vets from across the profession who: go above and beyond for their patients and clients; support wellbeing and positive workplace culture; drive positive change across sustainability; deliver inspirational leadership and mentoring; and push the boundaries of veterinary science. 

On the finalists for this year’s awards, British Veterinary Association President Dr Rob Williams MRCVS said: “Vet teams have a profound impact both on the lives of individual animals and people, but also on society at large. The BVA Awards enable us to take a moment out of our busy schedules to recognise these achievements and celebrate the fantastic work of our community. This year’s award finalists stand out as shining examples of the very best of the veterinary profession and it’s going to be very difficult to choose winners for each award.”    

THE FINALISTS

BVA Young Vet of the Year, supported by Zoetis 

This prestigious award highlights the outstanding work of young vets; those who are making a significant contribution in their workplace or the wider veterinary community; who are leading and inspiring; or who go above and beyond what is expected of them early on in their career. 

The finalists are:  

Dr Jade Urquhart-Gilmore BSc BVetMed MRCVS     

Small animal vet Jade Urquhart-Gilmore is shortlisted for the second year running and is nominated for the exceptional care she gives her patients, clients and colleagues. A 2021 Royal Veterinary College graduate, Jade is now lead vet at Crofts Veterinary Practice in Haslemere, Surrey, and works hard helping to improve communication and strengthen the links between the clinical and client care teams. Having suffered a brain injury in 2025, Jade also works hard to overcome the challenges it presents and is an advocate for tackling chronic illness, neurodivergence and disability in the workplace. She is also studying for her Master's in Clinical Animal Behaviour, which is her clinical area of interest. 

Dr Anna Hewison BVM BVS MRCVS   

Farm vet Anna Hewison qualified from the University of Nottingham in 2022 and joined Shepton Vets, Somerset. She is nominated for her consistently high standards of care, genuine commitment to her development and mentoring of her colleagues, especially in surgery. Anna runs the practice’s Youngstock Club and has developed it into a more collaborative and effective programme, restructuring the scheme to encourage closer working relationships between vets, technicians, and farmers, ensuring a joined-up approach to youngstock management.  

Dr Rachael White BVSc MRCVS 

Small animal vet Rachael White qualified from the University of Bristol in 2019 and has been nominated for her clinical and surgical progress as well as her excellent attention to detail in both planning and performing procedures. She is considered a highly valued and respected member of Emerson’s Green Veterinary Surgery, in Bristol, particularly for her clinical excellence and leadership at a young age.    

BVA Wellbeing Awards, supported by ManyPets 

The BVA Wellbeing Awards recognise veterinary workplaces that go above and beyond to support and enhance team wellbeing as highlighted in the Good Veterinary Workplaces Voluntary Code.    

The finalists are: 

• Thrums Vets, based in the North-East of Scotland 

• Chapelfield Vets, Norwich 

• Vets for Pets Rugby, Warwickshire 

• Bold Vets, in St Helens, Merseyside 

• Vets for Pets Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland 

• Seaham Vets, County Durham 

• SonoPath 

BVA Veterinary Mentor Award, supported by Hill’s Pet Nutrition 

This new award recognises an inspirational mentor who has gone above and beyond to support and guide others within the veterinary professions. 

The finalists are:  

• Lorna Clark BA (Hons) BVetMed MRCVS, small animal vet and owner/director of Pinfold Vets  

• Sharon Ann King BSc (HONS) BVetMed FHEA MRCVS, small animal vet and Aberystwyth University lecturer  

• Dr Yaiza Forcada Atienza DVM PhD Dip.ECVIM-CA PGCert VetED FHEA MRCVS, specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine  

BVA Veterinary Leader Award, supported by Vetnique - YuMOVE Veterinary 

This new award recognises an inspirational leader who has driven positive change, fostered innovation, and made a lasting difference to colleagues, the profession, and animal welfare. 

The finalists are:  

• Dr Esther Skelly-Smith BVMedSci(Hons) BVM BVS PCAC PgC(WVA&CPM) CERP MRCVS equine vet and practice principal at Shanaghan Veterinary Services  

• Paul Horwood BVetMed DBR MBA MRCVS, farm Vet and UK Head of Farm and Exports for IVC Evidensia  

• Dr Ceri Owen, Regional Clinical Lead at CVS Vets BVM BVS PgCertWBIS MRCVS 

BVA One Health and Sustainability Award 

Presented in memory of BVA Past President Dr. Simon Doherty, a champion of sustainability and One Health, this award celebrates veterinary-led initiatives that have driven increased awareness and action on these key issues. 

The finalists are:  

• Dr Laura Higham BVM&S MSc PhD MRCVS, Director at Vet Sustain and Veterinary Consultant at FAI Farms  

• The Pembrokeshire TB Project  

• Dr Rob Howe MRCVS farm vet and lead of BCVA’s sustainability working group  

Other awards which will be presented on the night are:  

• 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 

• WVS Global Veterinary Challenge, in association with BVA 

BVA Awards Dinner and BVA Live  

There is still time to get a ticket to the BVA Awards Dinner, which takes place on Thursday 11 June 2026 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole and includes a sparkling drinks reception, sponsored by Lloyd & Whyte; a delicious three-course dinner; and DJ and dancing until midnight. For BVA Members, the tickets are £79 +VAT. Visit https://mybva.bva.co.uk/ems-event-calendar/bva-awards-dinner-2026.html 

BVA Live takes place on 11–12 June at the NEC Birmingham. Find out more and book your fully funded ticket here.