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Former vet students awarded honorary degrees
Gwendolen and Philip
Honorary graduates Gwendolen Collinson Stokes and Philip Ayrton-Grime with University of Liverpool deputy vice-chancellor, Patrick Hackett.

University of Liverpool celebrates graduates of yesteryear

Two former University of Liverpool students have been awarded honorary degrees from the university, over 65 years after they completed their studies.

The Honorary Bachelor of Veterinary Science degrees (BVSc) were bestowed to Gwendolen Collinson Stokes and Philip Ayrton Grime, who studied to become members of the RCVS prior to 1951, but did not take the exams for the BVSc degree.

At the time, the BVSc degree was not required for a career in veterinary medicine, so many students just took the MRCVS exams to allow them to become practising vets.

After graduating from Liverpool, both Philip and Gwendolen went on to have successful veterinary careers. Philip spent many years in Windsor as the Queen's personal vet and was awarded the Commander of the Victorian Order award in recognition of his contribution.

The graduation ceremony was held at the university's Leahurst Campus which has been home to veterinary students since 1941.

"We felt it was a fitting gesture to honour our MRCVS students of yesteryear in this way and it was fantastic to welcome them and their families back to Leahurst to celebrate," said Professor Susan Dawson, head of the university's institute of veterinary science.

The ceremony formed part of the inaugural University of Liverpool Veterinary Alumni Association Celebration Weekend (3-4 September) which encourages former students to get together and reminisce.

Image (C) Martin Birchall

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FIVP launches CMA remedies survey

News Story 1
 FIVP has shared a survey, inviting those working in independent practice to share their views on the CMA's proposed remedies.

The Impact Assessment will help inform the group's response to the CMA, as it prepares to submit further evidence to the Inquiry Group. FIVP will also be attending a hearing in November.

Data will be anonymised and used solely for FIVP's response to the CMA. The survey will close on Friday, 31 October 2025. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
CMA to host webinar exploring provisional decisions

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to host a webinar for veterinary professionals to explain the details of its provisional decisions, released on 15 October 2025.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 29 October 2025 from 1.00pm to 2.00pm.

Officials will discuss the changes which those in practice may need to make if the provisional remedies go ahead. They will also share what happens next with the investigation.

The CMA will be answering questions from the main parties of the investigation, as well as other questions submitted ahead of the webinar.

Attendees can register here before Wednesday, 29 October at 11am. Questions must be submitted before 10am on 27 October.

A recording of the webinar will be accessible after the event.