É«ÇéÖ±²¥app

 Published: 20 Jun 2025 | Last Updated: 20 Jun 2025 12:32:04

Professor Stephen May recognised for contributions to veterinary education and animal welfare.

 Professor Stephen May, former Senior Vice Principal at the É«ÇéÖ±²¥app (RVC), has been appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours. This award recognises his outstanding dedication to veterinary education and his advocacy for the role of animals in scientific research.

Professor May joined the RVC to complete his PhD following his graduation in 1980 from the University of Cambridge and subsequent work as a clinician-researcher. He first joined the RVC as Professor of Equine Medicine and Surgery in 1993, after teaching at the University of Liverpool.

Throughout his 30 years at the RVC, Professor May led significant developments across both clinical and academic spheres. He led the transformation of the RVC’s Equine Hospital, doubling both its caseload and team. He was then appointed and promoted to senior leadership roles, including Vice Principal for Teaching, Deputy Principal and Senior Vice Principal. As a genuine leader in his field, Professor May’s influence extends beyond the RVC, playing a central role in shaping the veterinary profession in leadership positions at prestigious national and international institutions, including the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation and the European College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Among his many legacies, Professor May founded RVC LIVE (Leadership, Veterinary Practice, Education), the RVC’s Centre for excellence in teaching and learning which continues to drive innovation across veterinary education. He also chaired the RVC’s Animal Care Trust, managing grants of more than £6 million, supporting crucial education, clinical care and research initiatives at the institute.

Professor Stephen May OBE, said:

“I feel very honoured. I have had a lifelong interest in the animals that we have domesticated, and our responsibilities to them, and I am privileged to work with wonderful colleagues and students in ways that allow us all to learn and grow together, and achieve fulfilment through successfully delivering the diverse, complex projects that are recognised in this Award.”

Professor Stuart Reid, President & Principal of the É«ÇéÖ±²¥app, said:

“I am sure all Stephen’s colleagues and collaborators, past and present, are delighted to see his career-long contributions recognised with this Honour. It is a tribute to his commitment to a knowledge-led approach and a belief in the role of education that has defined his leadership.”

Notes to Editors

Reference

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About the RVC

• The É«ÇéÖ±²¥app (RVC) is the UK's largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a Member Institution of the University of London.  
• It is one of the few veterinary schools in the world that hold accreditations from the RCVS in the UK (with reciprocal recognition from the AVBC for Australasia, the VCI for Ireland and the SAVC for South Africa), the EAEVE in the EU, and the AVMA in the USA and Canada. 
• The RVC is ranked as the top veterinary school in the world in the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2024.  
• The RVC offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences.  
• The RVC is a research-led institution, with 88% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. 
• The RVC provides animal owners and the veterinary profession with access to expert veterinary care and advice through its teaching hospitals and first opinion practices in London and Hertfordshire.