Collaboration is key at first diversity and inclusion networking event

In this blog from Lloyd Emeka, our Senior Officer for Diversity and Inclusion, he writes about a networking event held at the RCVS offices on 6 November 2025 which brought together veterinary professionals, educators and students together to discuss and share perspectives on topics related to diversity and inclusion. 

Earlier this month we were delighted to host our first Diversity and Inclusion Networking event, an occasion which has grown out of the work of our Diversity & Inclusion Group and its 2021 strategy. 

The XX delegates in attendance included representatives from the affinity groups including the British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society, British Veterinary LGBT+ Society, British Veterinary Chronic Illness Support, and Animal Aspirations, a student-led organisation that engages with students from diverse backgrounds through interactive animal and science-focused workshops. 

The event began with a welcome and introduction by Dr Tshidi Gardiner MRCVS, RCVS Diversity and Inclusion Council Lead, and Angharad Belcher, Director for the Advancement of the Professions. Following this, delegates joined a guided tour of the new RCVS building which culminated with a group photo. The guided tour enabled delegates to see how the RCVS has combined tradition with contemporary features in an inclusive working environment. 

The programme during the morning also consisted of presentations from two external speakers. Business Disability Forum delivered the first presentation which focused on creating disability inclusive workplaces. Topics such as workplace adjustments and the use of AI in recruitment were covered. 

The second presentation was from the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf. In this presentation representatives of the charity discussed the challenges of experiencing hearing loss and explained how they provide support to people with a hearing, sound support or companion dog. The presentation also included a live demonstration of a hearing dog in action and insights from a hearing dog recipient with lived experience.  

The external speaker presentations during the morning provided delegates with different perspectives and areas for consideration. After opportunities to network over lunch, delegates participated in a number of workshop discussions. The workshops were focused on sharing reflections about the talks during the morning, discussing where progress has been made within equity, diversity and inclusion in the veterinary sector and identifying future priorities and opportunities. 

Final thoughts and concluding remarks were shared towards the end of the event. The speaker presentations, workshop activities and networking had provided delegates with an opportunity to pause, reflect, learn from and with each other.   

Some delegates shared their thoughts on what they found most useful about the event and how they intend to take the learnings forward, which are quoted below. 

“I loved collaborating and networking and talking about all the amazing things all the amazing people do here.”
 
“Speaking to other people with EDI interest and focus.” 

“Take tips to my workplace and utilise these with the BVLGBT+ work.”