Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Imogen Burrows appointed BEVA president
Imogen Burrows will follow Bruce Bladon as president of the BEVA.
Her presidency will focus on ‘listening and learning’.

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

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.