Dr Rob Williams MVB MBA CMgr FCMI MCIPD MRCVS has been elected president of the British Veterinary Association for 2025-2026.
A 2001 graduate of University College Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine with an RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery, Dr Williams is an experienced small animal vet having worked for many years in general and referral practice and as clinical director of a large hospital in York.
He is also a qualified HR professional and holds an MBA from York Business School.
Since 2016, he has worked with VetPartners in management roles, with a focus on graduate programmes management, colleague engagement and career development.
In his first speech as president, Dr Williams introduced his presidential theme, ‘Shaping the profession of the future’.
He said: “We live in interesting times, times that will challenge each of our perspectives and possibly our conception of what it is to be a veterinary surgeon.
“The CMA investigation outcome will change how we interact with and provide clinical care to pets and their owners. It’s also possible the CMA’s remedy decision will have some impact on other parts of the profession, particularly mixed clinical practice. These are unknown challenges but I’m confident we will meet whatever challenge the CMA set us.
“Defra are undertaking potential reform of the current Veterinary Surgeons Act. This will again create much-needed change in the regulation and governance of the veterinary profession. This change has the potential to be challenging; however, we should not lose sight of the long-term benefits reform of the Act will bring for the profession.”
