RCVS congratulates veterinary surgeons recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours

RCVS President Tim Parkin has congratulated the three veterinary surgeons who received recognition in the 2026 New Year Honours list.

Those recognised were:

• Professor Danielle Gunn-Moore FRCVS who received the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Professor Gunn-Moore is Chair of Feline Medicine at the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and a member of the Feline Infectious Peritonitis Advisory Group. She received her honour for services to feline veterinary medicine.
• Major Amanda Claire Hewitt MRCVS from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) who received the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Military Honours List.
• Professor David Campbell James Main MRCVS received a Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM). Professor Main is Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Production Animal Health and Welfare at the Royal Agricultural University. He was also recently Chair of the Home Office’s Animals in Science Committee and received his BEM for services to animal welfare.

Also recognised were Major Mark Stephen Gibbs from the RAVC who received a King’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Military Honours, and Gwyn Jones, a farmer who received a BEM for services to animal health and welfare. He is former Chair of the Cattle Sector Group of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, a vet-led programme offering financial support to farmers in England to improve the health and welfare of their cattle, sheep, and pigs.

Professor Tim Parkin said: “It is always fantastic to see veterinary colleagues receive the recognition they deserve in our honours system, and my sincere congratulations go out to them on this achievement. These awards alone do much to highlight the breadth of contribution that veterinary surgeons make to our society, as well as highlighting the contribution that non-vets can make to animal health and welfare in collaboration with our professions.”

The full New Year Honours Lists can be found on the gov.uk website