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BVNA is delighted to introduce the Council members who will be serving our membership from October 2025 to October 2026. They are a mix of familiar and new faces, all of whom are either an RVN or SVN and are excited to be working with, and on behalf of, the BVNA membership across the UK and overseas.

Sarah Holliday

BVNA President

My time in veterinary nursing has not been linear, but I love the variety of the veterinary nurse ' s( VN ' s) role. I have worked with British wildlife and exotic pets as well as dogs and cats in various settings, including general practice and specialist referrals, and in management and leadership roles.

I gained veterinary technician specialist status in oncology in 2023 and I am currently senior medical oncology nurse at AURA Veterinary. I also have a certificate in feline and canine behaviour.

Alongside oncology, I am extremely passionate about progressing the veterinary nursing profession. I joined BVNA to be part of something bigger than myself: a community that not only supports and celebrates VNs but also drives positive change within our profession.

Joining the BVNA Council has given me the opportunity to give something back to the profession and has allowed me to grow as an individual. During my time on the Council, I have had the privilege of working alongside extraordinary SVNs and RVNs and been part of many worthwhile projects. I have connected with many like-minded VNs and helped influence the direction of our field in areas such as legislative reform.

As I step into my new role as President, I strive to be a strong voice for members, advocating for our role as VNs and sustaining the driving force of the association to help shape the future of our profession.

I have chosen‘ Compassion and Empathy’ as my BVNA presidential theme because they are not only what l believe veterinary nursing is about, but they are also what has guided me throughout my own career as a VN. These two qualities are at the heart of our profession – they shape how we care for our patients, how we support clients and how we work alongside each other.

Working as a veterinary oncology nurse has brought these values into even sharper focus for me. Every day, I see the importance of not just delivering excellent clinical care, but doing so with compassion and empathy. This allows me to meet patients and their families with comfort, trust and empathy during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

These values aren ' t just for others – they are for us too. As a profession, we face emotional and physical challenges every day. When we show compassion and empathy to ourselves and our colleagues, we create a more supportive, sustainable workplace. I genuinely believe this theme is essential. I chose it because I ' ve lived it and seen its impact, and I believe it should be at the centre of how we learn, care and grow as VNs. I hope to inspire a culture where kindness continues to be at the core of our profession.

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