Jade Urquhart-Gilmore, Anna Hewison and Rachael White are in the running for BVA Young Vet of the Year 2026 after being shortlisted by the British Veterinary Association ahead of its awards dinner in June.

The award, sponsored by Zoetis, is now in its ninth year and recognises early-career vets.

The winner will be announced at the BVA Awards Dinner at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Thursday 11 June 2026, the first day of BVA Live.

Jade Urquhart-Gilmore, a small animal vet, is shortlisted for the second consecutive year.

A 2021 Royal Veterinary College graduate, she is lead vet at Crofts Veterinary Practice in Haslemere, Surrey, and is also studying for a Master’s in Clinical Animal Behaviour.

The BVA said she was nominated for the care she gives patients, clients and colleagues, her work to improve communication between clinical and client care teams, and her advocacy around chronic illness, neurodivergence and disability in the workplace following a brain injury in 2025.

Anna Hewison, a farm vet at Shepton Vets in Somerset, qualified from the University of Nottingham in 2022. She was shortlisted for her standards of care, commitment to development and support for colleagues, particularly in surgery.

She also runs the practice’s Youngstock Club, which the BVA said she has developed into a more collaborative programme bringing vets, technicians and farmers together on youngstock management.

Rachael White, a small animal vet at Emerson’s Green Veterinary Surgery in Bristol, qualified from the University of Bristol in 2019. The BVA said she was nominated for her clinical and surgical progress, attention to detail in planning and performing procedures, and leadership within the practice.

The BVA announced the Young Vet of the Year finalists alongside shortlists for its Wellbeing Awards and three newer categories: the Veterinary Mentor Award, the Veterinary Leader Award and the One Health and Sustainability Award.

BVA president Dr Rob Williams said: “Vet teams have a profound impact both on the lives of individual animals and people, but also on society at large.

"The BVA Awards enable us to take a moment out of our busy schedules to recognise these achievements and celebrate the fantastic work of our community.

"This year’s award finalists stand out as shining examples of the very best of the veterinary profession and it’s going to be very difficult to choose winners for each award.”