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BVA announces new board chairman
The BVA has announced Philip Lowndes MRCVS as its new board chairman.

Philip Lowndes looks forward to addressing the challenges ahead

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has announced Philip Lowndes MRCVS as its new board chairman.

Bristol University graduate Philip spent seven years in mixed practice before pursuing a career in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry.  

Since then he has held national and international commercial roles including CEO of UK business and leading global marketing of a major international and animal health pharmaceuticals business

Commenting on his new appointment, Mr Lowndes said: “I am honoured to be elected as the next Chairman of the BVA and look forward to chairing the Board as it addresses the challenges ahead.

“The veterinary profession needs and deserves vibrant representation and it is the Board’s role to ensure that the organisation has the ability and the resources to achieve this to the benefit of our membership.

The BVA board oversees the performance of the association and is responsible for corporate and financial governance and for setting the BVA’s strategic direction. It consists of nine members including the three officers of the BVA, four directors appointed by BVA Council and up to two non-veterinary directors appointed by the board.

Philip was previously chairman of the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) and currently sits as chairman of the both the Novartis UK Pension Trustee Board and its Investment Committee.

In 2013, he joined the BVA’s board and was re-elected by the BVA for a second term in 2016. He will be taking over from Derek Williams, who stepped down in March after seven years.

“We are delighted to announce Philip Lowndes as the new Chairman of the BVA Board,” commented BVA president Gudrun Ravetz.

“His experience and expertise in business, knowledge of the veterinary profession and involvement with BVA will be of great value as we continue to grow our membership and expand our services and support for vets, especially during the uncertainty caused by Brexit.”

Image (C) BVA

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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.