Farm animal and equine veterinary surgeon John Blackwell has been elected President of the British Veterinary Association.

The ceremony took place during the Association’s Members’ Day, held at the Midland Hotel in Manchester.

Mr Blackwell was born and brought up in Wrexham, North Wales, and graduated from the University of Liverpool Veterinary School in 1985.  He is currently a director of Brownlow Veterinary Centre, a three-centre mixed practice in Ellesmere, Shropshire.

A former President of the British Cattle Veterinary Association, John is also a director on the Animal Medicines Training and Regulatory Authority (AMTRA) Board and an external lecturer on the emergency slaughter of cattle at Nottingham Veterinary School.  His theme for his Presidency at the BVA will be ‘Delivering Change and Shaping the Future’.

Commenting on his election, Mr Blackwell said: “I am proud and honoured to become the President of the BVA. I look forward representing our members views and to the challenges that lie ahead as we continue to promote the value of veterinary healthcare and expertise to society ensuring that all animals have a life worth living.”