Anna Hewison MRCVS has been named BVA Young Vet of the Year 2026 for work that strengthened collaboration between vets, technicians and farmers on youngstock management at Shepton Vets in Somerset.

Anna, a farm vet in Shepton Mallet, qualified from the University of Nottingham in 2022 and joined Shepton Vets, where she runs the practice's Youngstock Club, developing it into a more collaborative and effective programme by restructuring the scheme to encourage closer working relationships between vets, technicians and farmers.

The award, supported by Zoetis, was presented at the BVA Awards Dinner 2026.

Anna said: "I cannot believe that I have won this award and feel incredibly honoured."

"It is especially meaningful given the high standard of nominees."

"I genuinely love being a farm vet and find it hugely rewarding."

"I'm extremely grateful to my colleagues at Shepton Vets for their support, encouragement and the knowledge they have shared with me throughout my career so far."

"They have provided me with fantastic opportunities to learn and develop, and this award is very much a reflection of that."

British Veterinary Association President Dr Rob Williams MRCVS said: "Anna is an outstanding veterinary surgeon, and her clinical excellence and leadership is impressive at such a young age and so early in her career."

"It's inspiring how dedicated she is to developing her skills and strengthening relationships and collaboration with farmers, other veterinary professionals and her team."

"She should be exceptionally proud of her achievements so far and we're delighted to award her this prestigious title - it's very well deserved."

Other BVA award winners this year were:

  • BVA Wellbeing Awards:
    Small medium practice category – Vets for Pets Kirkcaldy
    Large practice category - Chapelfield Vets
    Non-clinical category - Sonopath
  • BVA Veterinary Mentor Award - Sharon Ann King\
  • BVA Veterinary Leader Award - Paul Horwood
  • BVA One Health and Sustainability Award: Dr Laura Higham
  • BVA Outstanding Service Award: Cat Henstridge
  • BVA Advancement of Veterinary Science Award - Professor Tom McNeilly
  • BVA Animal Health and Welfare Overseas Award (J. Trevor Blackburn Award) - Dr Romain Pizzi
  • Vet Record Impact Award: Rosemary Perkins, Gaëtan Glauser and Dave Goulson
  • WVS Global Veterinary Challenge, in association with BVA: Shreya Patel, Rudi Bruijn-Yard and Francesca Haldane