Imogen Burrows appointed BEVA president
Imogen Burrows will follow Bruce Bladon as president of the BEVA.
Imogen Burrows has been appointed as president of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) for the 2025/2026 presidential year.
She will take the post from Bruce Bladon at the end of this year’s BEVA Congress. Kate Blakeman will become president-elect and James Crabtree becomes junior vice president.
Dr Burrows graduated from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in 2000, before beginning her career as a first opinion equine veterinary surgeon. She has since been awarded RCVS Equine Medicine Advanced Practitioner Status and, in 2023, received her Post Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Professional Studies and Stud Medicine Certificate.
Alongside her role as a veterinary surgeon, Dr Burrows is also a VetGDP advisor, undergraduate teacher and an RCVS Advanced Practitioner assessor.
Dr Burrows’ focus is on education and improving standards of care and welfare in practice. As president, she will prioritise a ‘listening and learning’ approach, in that she will seek to understand what members need from BEVA as an organisation.
She is also hoping to increase discussions into a welfare-led approach to equine veterinary care.
Dr Burrows said: “I have loved my experience on BEVA Council over the past few of years, not least as Ethics and Welfare Committee chair. I have strong opinions and am brave enough to pop my head above the parapet to encourage conversation around topics I am passionate about.
“As a first opinion equine practitioner I hope I can bring a practical perspective to the table. I honestly never thought I would have the opportunity for the prestigious role of president - I hope it will inspire others to put themselves forwards.”
She follows Bruce Bladon into the role, who focused his presidential year on the theme ‘Use it Wisely or Lose it Forever’. During his presidency, Dr Bladon launched the ‘MonitorME’ project, which gathers antimicrobial usage data from across the UK.
The campaign is featuring as a key theme in this year’s BEVA Congress, as Dr Bladon’s presidency draws to a close.
Newly elected Council members Kate Allen, Harriet Fairhurst, Richard Hepbun and Giorgio Ricardi will also take on their roles after BEVA Congress. Rosina Lilywhite and Marie Rippingale have joined as new equine nurse members, while Ian Beamish has become a trustee.
Image © JasSansi
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