Nominations open for VN Educator of the Year Awards 2026
“I put a lot of myself into this role and it is nice to have the validation that they think I’m doing something worth awarding." - Matt Badham
Central Qualifications (CQ) has officially opened nominations for its Veterinary Nurse Educator of the Year Awards 2026.
Students and colleagues have until Friday, 6 February 2026 to nominate a member of staff whom they feel is committed to supporting veterinary nursing students.
The award, which is now in its ninth year, is open to anyone involved with training or educating veterinary nurses in the UK. It seeks to recognise the talent, skill and dedication of veterinary nursing educators.
Last year’s winner was Matt Badham, a veterinary nursing lecturer at Plumpton College.
Mr Badham was nominated for the award by his students and fellow professionals, in recognition of his ‘innovative’ teaching style and ‘engaging’ lessons. His nominators described him as an ‘excellent lecturer’ who ‘shares happiness and enthusiasm in everything he does’.
Mr Badham says his career was inspired by his own teacher, former CQ VN Educator of the Year Nicola Newman.
He said: “I put a lot of myself into this role and it is nice to have the validation that they think I’m doing something worth awarding. I will continue to learn and grow to ensure I always put everything I can into their education and in to the veterinary industry”.
This year’s award will be presented at the CQ Graduation and Awards Ceremony at Central Hall, Westminster, on Saturday, 28 March 2026. The ceremony will also see the latest cohort of veterinary nurses receive their diplomas, and will include a keynote speech from wildlife photographer and filmmaker Gordon Buchanan.
Jacqui Garrett, CQ director, said: “We’re delighted to celebrate the Veterinary Nurse Educator of the Year Awards once again.
“The awards are a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on the individuals who go above and beyond in training the next generation of veterinary nurses.
“I would encourage anyone who has been inspired by their tutor or colleague to submit a nomination and help us recognise their contribution to the veterinary nursing profession”.
For more information and to submit a nomination, visit cqual.org/awards-nomination. Nominations close Friday, 6 February 2026.
Image © Central Qualifications
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
