SQPs from across the UK have been recognised for their outstanding professionalism and commitment to their training at the second National SQP Awards, which were held this afternoon in London.
Dawn Prime, who works at Wherry Vets in Bungay, Suffolk, was named National SQP of the Year, and was also named Veterinary Practice SQP of the Year.
Sarah Brooks, animal health and campaign manager at Wynnstay Group, was named Farm SQP of the Year; Nikki Harris, from TFM Countrystore in Whisby, Lincolnshire, scooped the award for Companion SQP of the Year.
The Equine SQP of the Year was Kristy Hodgson, director of operations at Westgate Laboratories; Andrew Pattison from RM Jones in Hay-on-Wye, Herefordshire, scooped the Mastermind Award; and Charlotte Forkes-Rees, from Mole Country Stores in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, won the Newly Qualified SQP of the Year award.
In the retail categories, W.E Jamseon & Son, from Masham, North Yorkshire, was named Independent Store of the Year, while the Wynnstay Group store in Llanfair Caereinion was named Multiple Store of the Year. Stefanie Willey, the manager of Mole Country Stores in Hexham, Northumberland, scooped the Store Manager of the Year.
The Outstanding Customer Service Award, was won by Gillian Smeaton, who works at East of Scotland Farmers in Coupar Angus, Perthshire.
A new award this year, the Nutritional Expertise Award, was won by Lauren Yates, an expertise trainer at Pets at Home’s head office in Handforth, Cheshire.
The Award for Contribution to the Industry was presented to John Fitzgerald, the former operations director at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate; and Elanco was awarded the Trade Supplier of the Year title.
The National SQP Awards was hosted by comedian Maisie Adam.
Simon King, OvertheCounter’s editor, said: “The third National SQP Awards have been a fantastic success and I am delighted that SQPs from across the UK have been recognised for their commitment to their customers.
“I’d like to thank the sponsors that supported the National SQP Awards and I’d also like to encourage even more SQPs to enter the 2020 awards programme. I know from speaking to some of the winners how proud they were to win an award and I firmly believe that winners should shout about their win in their community as winning a national award can drive a business forward. Well done to all the winners and those who were also highly commended.”
