RCVS Honorary Associateship

Who can be nominated?

The RCVS is keen to recognise the full spectrum of people who contribute to the veterinary sector. Nominees should be laypeople, such as scientists, lecturers, journalists, charity-workers, farriers, farmers and those involved in the commercial field.

You cannot nominate someone if they:

• Are a current RCVS or VN Council member  
• Appear on any RCVS Register, including temporary, practising or non-practising 

How to make a nomination

Nominations can be made by any Members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS) or Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) This includes current RCVS Council and VN Council members.

Supporting statements can be supplied by non-veterinary professionals.

To nominate someone, you’ll need to download and complete the PDF nomination form. Do provide as much detail as possible about why the nominee deserves the award.  

Completed forms should be submitted via our Honours and Awards web form.

Key dates

• Deadline for nominations: 5pm, Wednesday 7 January 2026
• Winners announced: March 2026
• Awards ceremony: RCVS College Day, 3 July 2026

Previous Honorary Associates

Our Honorary Associates have been awarded for contributions spanning education, research, welfare advocacy, and professional support across multiple sectors.

2025

Rita Dingwall  
With 30 years’ experience in the sector, Rita was honoured for her work as a practice manager, an independent veterinary business consultant and her voluntary roles with sector organisations, including as chair and president.  

Joanne Gibson  
Joanne’s work running Veterinary Northern Ireland (VetNI) was the reason for the award. VetNI acts as the secretariat for the two associations based in the country – the Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland (AVSPNI) and the North of Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA).

Stuart Pope  
Stuart’s work as the Operations Manager for the University of Bristol’s vet school was the reason for the award. He is responsible for issues such as health and safety, managing the university’s farm facilities, and ensuring the vet school is sustainable. He also contributes to the university’s Animal Behaviour and Welfare Group.

2024  

Dr Iain Berrill
Iain is a fish biologist and Head of Technical at Scottish Salmon. He was given the award for working closely with fish vets to improve the health and welfare of fish in the Scottish aquaculture industry.

James Ferrie
Jamie’s role as farrier for the University of Glasgow’s School of Veterinary Medicine for 50 years was the basis of the nomination. He has helped to train generations of equine vets and worked with vets to maximise treatment outcomes and welfare.  

Professor Diana Williams
Diana was honoured for her work as Professor of Infection Biology and Microbiomes at the University of Liverpool’s Institution of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Studies. She has benefitted animal health and welfare through her teaching and research, particularly in the field of livestock health, welfare and productivity. 
2022

Norma Chapman
Norma was recognised for her lifelong advocacy for, and collaboration with, the veterinary professions as an eminent zoologist and naturalist specialising in deer. She has collaborated on research with anatomists, epizoologists, pathologists, parasitologists and toxicologists.

Joyce Wason
Joyce was honoured for her role as Director of Admissions and Student Support Manager at the University of Glasgow until her retirement in May 2022. She was known for being a source of help and advice for applicants, students, and graduates. Joyce was also described as a champion of student resilience training, suicide awareness and mental health first aid. 

Jane Wilson
Spending 25 years and thousands of hours of volunteering with the Vetlife Helpline is the reason for Jane receiving the award.  She was praised for her empathy and ability to confidently talk to callers about their concerns. Her mentoring and training new volunteers and involvement in the financial support branch of Vetlife's work were also mentioned.  

2021

Stuart Carter
Stuart received the award for his work advancing veterinary medicine as Emeritus Professor of Veterinary Pathology at the University of Liverpool’s Institution of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences. He has worked at Liverpool’s Faculty of Veterinary Science since 1985.  Stuart was praised for achievements in wide and varied fields, from the first isolation and characterisations of dromedary camel immunoglobulins, to deciphering the cause of fatal foal immunodeficiency.  

Anthony Martin
Anthony was nominated for his impact as a philanthropist through his Anthony V Martin Foundation. Anthony has a particular interest in supporting national and international charities working with the veterinary profession to improve animal welfare.  

2020

Professor Maureen Bain
Maureen was honoured for her contribution to food safety, specifically her research on improving the quality and safety of eggs for human consumption. She is Professor of Comparative Anatomy and Histology at the University of Glasgow’s Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, and an Associate of Glasgow Vet School.

Mike Flynn
Mike is Chief Superintendent of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) He was given the award for his collaboration in areas such as the illegal puppy trade. 

Professor Roberto La Ragione
Roberto received the award for his key role in developing the pioneering partnership approach to education and training at Surrey Vet School. He is the Deputy Head of the Surrey Vet School, where he is also Professor of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, and Head of the Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases.

2017

Heather Armstrong  
Her contribution to the health and welfare of equids as Director of the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust earned Heather this award. 

Professor Duncan Maskell  
Duncan was the first Head of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cambridge who was not a vet. He was recognised for his contribution to pathogen research and animal-focused science.  

2016

Professor David Lane  
David was given this award for his support of the launch of the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice and the status of Advanced Practitioner in Veterinary Primary Care.

2015

Dr Michael J Francis  
Michael has developed vaccines against infectious diseases, which have had an exceptional impact on the well-being of livestock and pets globally. It’s for this reason that he was honoured with this award.  

Catherine Anne Phillips  
Catherine was recognised with this award because of her dedication to enhancing veterinary nurse training in both the small animal and equine fields. 

Dr Phillip Sketchley  
The award was given to Philip because of his tireless contribution to the pharmaceutical industry. He has spent more than 30 years in the sector, working alongside the veterinary profession and at the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH).