Power of One Health to be discussed at Royal College Day 2025 by public health leader

The veterinary role in animal, human and environmental health will be highlighted at this year’s Royal College Day, with a speech from a public health veterinary surgeon at the forefront of tackling animal disease.

Dr Klara Saville MRCVS (pictured), Veterinary Head of Exotic Diseases at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), will be the guest speaker at Royal College Day 2025 – our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and awards day – on Friday, 4 July at One Great George Street, Westminster.

Her speech is titled ‘The power of One Health; a global perspective on the role of vets in animal health, pandemic prevention and food security’, and will draw upon her experience leading teams of veterinary experts in developing policy and coordinating responses to outbreaks of notifiable animal disease. She is also the founder of the international coalition Action for Animal Health (A4AH) advocating for global recognition and investment in the animal health system and in previous roles she led international engagement on antimicrobial resistance, as well as international development in animal health.

RCVS President Linda Belton MRCVS (pictured), said: “In line with our new Strategic Plan’s focus on how collaboration can influence change and improve outcomes with a one health approach, I’m delighted that Klara will be our guest speaker. Her work demonstrates the value and impact that the veterinary perspective brings into so many issues

“Some of these issues are ones which we intuitively associate with veterinary professionals – for example, food safety and disease prevention - but there are others for which we might not so readily appreciate the veterinary role, which Klara will discuss.

“Hearing from Klara at Royal College Day 2025 will give us all, whatever our role, a chance to reflect on the potential that veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and the entire veterinary team can have to effect change to benefit both animals and people.”

The AGM starts at 11am and is open to all registered veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to attend for free and includes an update from our CEO Lizzie Lockett on what we have achieved in the past year.

As part of the AGM proceedings, newly elected and appointed members of both RCVS Council and RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council will be welcomed for their terms, and the Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2024 will be presented for approval. There will also be an opportunity for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to ask questions about the Annual Report. Further details on how to submit questions will be made available when the Annual Report is published.

The awards ceremony starts around 1pm and is open for all to attend for free, including award holders, their friends and family, and anyone with an interest in the achievements and advancements within the veterinary professions. A full list of this year’s award winners can be found on our website. 

Each award will be presented by Linda Belton who will then give an address reflecting on her presidential year, before the investiture of Professor Tim Parkin FRCVS as RCVS President for 2025-26.

During the afternoon speeches will also be given by Belinda Andrews-Jones, Chair of VN Council and Tim Parkin as the newly-invested president. Klara Saville’s guest speech will bring an end to the day.  

Those who wish to attend Royal College Day can register for free via the Royal College Day 2025 Eventbrite page.