Former RCVS President receives top veterinary award

Former RCVS President and long-serving Council Member, Des Thompson OBE MRCVS, was today presented with the Chiron Award, the British Veterinary Association's most prestigious award.

The Chiron Award, which marks "outstanding contributions to veterinary science or for outstanding services to the veterinary profession, judged in either case as being of a calibre commanding international or interprofessional recognition", was presented to Mr Thompson at the BVA's Awards Ceremony this evening, following the official opening of the BVA's annual congress in London.

BVA President Tim Greet paid tribute to Mr Thompson's outstanding service to the veterinary profession on a national and international level and to his "exemplary" veterinary practice in Belfast, one of only two Veterinary Hospitals in Northern Ireland. Professor Greet also thanked Mr Thompson personally for his "tremendous support" throughout his year as BVA President.

In thanking the President and the BVA for the award, Mr Thompson said, "To be honoured by one's peers is a memory I will treasure for ever." He also paid tribute to his wife and family, and to his business partner, for all their help and support.

Des Thompson was President of the RCVS Council in 1995 and only retired as a Council Member last year, after 24 years of service.