SPVS reveals new president and his priorities for the coming year
- The Veterinary Edge
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
THE Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons has announced the appointment of
Pete Orpin FRCVS as its new president.
He succeeds Ami Sawran, who now takes on the role of senior vice president, alongside Kate Higgins as junior vice president.
Mr Orpin brings a wealth of experience to the role, having graduated from Bristol in 1983
before beginning his career in mixed practice in New Zealand.
He went on to spend more than 30 years as a practice owner at Park Vet Group in Leicestershire, developing extensive expertise in veterinary business management, leadership, and strategic growth.
Now a business consultant with Anval, Mr Orpin continues to support practices across the UK.
A respected figure within the profession, he served as president of the British Cattle
Veterinary Association in 1999 and has long championed innovation in herd health planning.
Working alongside Dick Sibley FRCVS, Mr Orpin co-developed Myhealthyherd.com in 2007, a pioneering web-based programme designed to predict and prevent infectious disease in
cattle.
He also played a key role in establishing Action Group Johne’s in 2009, helping shape
the UK National Johne’s Management Plan.
Throughout his career, Mr Orpin has maintained a strong focus on leadership development,
business performance, and forward-thinking approaches to veterinary practice.
Speaking on his appointment, he highlighted the opportunities which lay ahead for the profession.
"The hard work and uncertainty of recent years can be turned into smart work and
opportunity," he said.
Mr Orpins presidency will focus on equipping veterinary practices with the tools, insight, and
confidence needed to navigate ongoing change, particularly in light of developments
following the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) review.
He said: "2026 is the year for practices to get involved with their associations and take positive action with the CMA remedies.
"The SPVS team are really looking forward to helping members navigate through these challenges and ensure their businesses continue to thrive."
Key priorities for SPVS in 2026 include:
Supporting practices through CMA changes with the launch of SPVS CMA
Roadshows - five nationwide events in May, starting on May 11 in Exeter, which are open to both members and non-members, offering practical guidance on implementing finalised remedies.
Driving leadership development through the new SPVS Elevate Leadership and
Management course, an expert-led programme designed to build confidence, self-
awareness, and authentic leadership skills among new and aspiring leaders.
Enhancing practical, technology-focused learning via the SPVS CMA Tech Day, helping
practices understand and adopt tools to meet compliance requirements and improve
efficiency.
Under Mr Orpin's leadership, SPVS will continue its mission to support veterinary professionals in building sustainable, successful practices through education, collaboration, and practical resources.
For more information about SPVS CMA Roadshows and to book visit
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