BVA Live 2026: Community, Conversations and Why Your Hiring Process Is Your Brand
Another year, another fantastic BVA Live at the Birmingham NEC.
As regular attendees and exhibitors, our team always looks forward to this event. It's a chance to step away from the day-to-day routine and spend valuable time face-to-face with the people who make the veterinary and animal health industry such a rewarding sector to work in.
This year, we were proud to exhibit with our own stand, representing what we believe in: honest, friendly and efficient recruitment. Alongside my team, I spent two busy days speaking with veterinary professionals, business owners and industry leaders, listening to their experiences, discussing challenges and exploring opportunities for growth.
One of the highlights was the number of candidates who stopped by to talk about their careers. We spoke with veterinary surgeons, RVNs, practice managers and animal health professionals who shared their frustrations, ambitions and aspirations.
The common theme was clear: people still value speaking to someone who genuinely understands the market and can provide practical guidance on their next career move.
The response to our stand was overwhelming. We received more than 200 entries into our prize draw and were delighted to present our hamper; filled with generous donations from many of our wonderful clients, to a deserving winner from Hill's Pet Nutrition. Her reaction was a lovely reminder of how supportive and connected our industry really is.
It was equally rewarding to reconnect with existing clients and hear about the success of recent hires. There is nothing better than learning how the right person has positively impacted a team, supported growth or helped a business achieve its objectives.
We also enjoyed seeing candidates we have previously placed thriving in their roles and proudly representing their organisations throughout the exhibition.
Beyond the conversations themselves, one message resonated particularly strongly throughout the event:
Your hiring process is your brand.
This became a key talking point with business owners, founders and hiring managers.
In a competitive talent market, candidates form opinions about an organisation long before they receive an offer. Every interaction, every email and every stage of the recruitment journey contributes to how a business is perceived.
A positive hiring experience strengthens an employer's reputation and helps attract future talent. Equally, a poor candidate experience can have lasting consequences that extend far beyond a single vacancy.
This is why we view ourselves as more than recruiters. When organisations partner with us, we become an extension of their team and a representative of their brand. The way candidates experience the recruitment process matters, and it was encouraging to see how strongly this message resonated with so many businesses at BVA Live.
We also had insightful discussions around business growth, acquisitions, mergers and organisational change. As the veterinary and animal health sector continues to evolve, many businesses are reviewing their structures, creating new positions and identifying the skills they need for the future.
These conversations reinforced the value of specialist recruitment expertise in helping organisations navigate change and make informed hiring decisions.
While much of my time was spent on the stand, I couldn't help but notice some of the key themes emerging across the exhibition and educational programme. Artificial intelligence and software innovation featured prominently, both on the exhibition floor and within the CPD sessions.
The focus was not on replacing clinicians but on using technology intelligently to improve efficiency, enhance patient care and support decision-making within practice.
What stood out most, however, was the atmosphere.
The event felt noticeably more upbeat than previous years. The exhibition hall was busy, conversations were flowing and there was a genuine sense of optimism throughout the venue.
Everywhere you looked, clinicians, practice managers, veterinary leaders and industry professionals were reconnecting, sharing ideas and supporting one another.
While the London Vet Show remains one of the largest events in the veterinary calendar, BVA Live offers something different. Its scale creates an environment that feels personal and accessible, making it easier to have meaningful conversations and build genuine connections.
For us, that's where much of the value lies.
As we reflect on another successful BVA Live, we've come away with new relationships to develop, valuable conversations to continue and a renewed confidence that our team is making a positive contribution to this incredible industry.
To everyone who visited our stand, entered our competition or simply stopped for a chat, thank you. We genuinely appreciate your support.
If you're a business looking to attract exceptional talent, strengthen your employer brand or improve your hiring process, we'd love to talk.
And if you're a veterinary or animal health professional considering your next move, we'd be delighted to discuss your career ambitions and help you find the right opportunity.
We're proud to be part of this industry, and we look forward to continuing the conversation and seeing many of you again at the London Vet Show in November.
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