British Veterinary Association appoints new president

Dr Rob Williams has been elected president of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) for the 2025–26 association year.

Williams, a small animal vet with nearly 25 years’ experience, graduated from University College Dublin in 2001 and holds an MBA from York Business School. 

He has worked in general and referral practice, served as clinical director of a hospital in York, and since 2016 has held management roles with VetPartners focused on graduate programmes, colleague engagement and career development.

He has also been active in veterinary organisations, including five years on the BVA member benefits committee, as a board member of the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons, and as a member of the RCVS VetGDP sub-committee.

Outgoing president Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux becomes senior vice president, while farm vet and academic Dr Gwenllian Rees has been elected junior vice president.

In Williams’ first speech as president, he set out his theme of “shaping the profession of the future”, highlighting challenges facing the sector including the Competition and Markets Authority investigation into veterinary services, potential reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, and UK–EU negotiations on a veterinary agreement. 

He also pointed to the risks of novel animal disease and the need for effective biosecurity.

Williams said: “Each of these challenges could be viewed in a negative light; however, I would like us to meet these trials positively – challenges to be embraced, opportunities to be realised, a new and future-focused profession; a 21st Century veterinary profession.”