Anna Thomas, brand manager at Agria Pet Insurance, has been named Young Marketer of the Year by the Veterinary Marketing Association.

Anna’s win was announced at the prestigious VMA Annual Awards event, held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Friday 16 March 2018. The award is sponsored by British Dairying magazine and supported by the VMA to recognise young marketers who have shown a particular flair within the animal health industry.

Making the shortlist of three following a rigorous screening process based on skills and achievements, Anna was invited to attend an interview and presentation day to demonstrate her skills and creative flair directly to the judges, Dr Mo Gannon and Mr Stephen Dann.

They commented: “Anna demonstrated a great mix of energy, enthusiasm, team work and results."

Presenting Anna’s award was Nicola Jardine from British Dairying, Jane Manning, VMA Chair/ InnoVet, along with previous winner of the award, Helen Hunter, from Easipetcare, plus event host, Alexis Conran – best known for co-hosting the BBC Three show The Real Hustle.

In addition to receiving a certificate of achievement and being invited to join the VMA committee, Anna also wins a CPD bursary worth £2,000 to put towards marketing training, plus a personal award of £500.

Anna said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have won! I’m so grateful to the VMA for choosing me as their winner and to my Agria colleagues for supporting me throughout the process. It really was a fantastic experience and I am looking forward to what the future will bring."

Simon Wheeler, Managing Director of Agria, said: “We are delighted, although knowing the calibre of her work, not really surprised that Anna was chosen as the VMA Young Marketer of the Year! It’s a fantastic and very well-deserved achievement, and we’re all incredibly proud of her for being identified and recognised amongst her peers by such a respected organisation.”

Anna’s award comes hot on the heels Agria’s other successes so far in just the first three months of 2018.

As well as winning Best Pet Insurance Provider at the Moneynet Awards 2018, Agria was also awarded both Pet Insurance Provider of the Year and Best Claims Service at the Moneyfacts Consumer Awards 2018.