Shortly after celebrating its 80th anniversary, Bishopton Veterinary Group (BVG), one of North Yorkshire’s longest established veterinary practices, has expanded its leadership team by welcoming two new partners and recruiting three new vets. Laura Pearce, who joined BVG in 2021, is now a small animal sector partner, while Alex Oliver, who has been with BVG for seven years, is now a farm sector partner. Both are based at the Ripon surgery, bringing the total number of partners to 11.

Laura Pearce graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2014 and worked in Nottingham for seven years before returning to her northern roots. She holds Advanced Practitioner status and is passionate about orthopaedics and cruciate disease. Laura has also revamped BVG’s Lifetime Care Club, pioneering risk-based worm, flea, and parasite treatments. The scheme, relaunching in June 2025, offers pets personalised parasite prevention plans based on individual risk, reducing harmful environmental effects and minimising product resistance.

This initiative is part of BVG’s commitment to sustainable veterinary practice, aligned with its ‘CARES’ values: clinical excellence, adaptability, respect, education, and sustainability.

Alex Oliver, also a University of Nottingham graduate, spent a year working on a large dairy farm in New Zealand before joining BVG in 2018. He specialises in dairy work and will oversee a team of vets, nurses, vet techs, and administration staff in his new role, along with managing various business functions including procurement, marketing, finance, and sustainability.

Founded in 1943, Bishopton Veterinary Group operates six practices across North Yorkshire, providing pet, farm, and specialist pig veterinary services. Sister companies Bishopton Equine and RAFT Solutions offer equine veterinary services and international research, breeding, consultancy, and training in sustainable food and precision livestock farming. BVG also takes referrals from across the UK and has an established Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) accredited veterinary hospital in Ripon. Its newest practice opened in Thirsk in 2023. BVG is a founding member of XLVets, a community of independently owned veterinary practices that collaborate to define the highest standards of veterinary care.

Laura expressed her pride in becoming a partner at BVG, stating, “After moving back from Nottingham, I knew I wanted to join Bishopton, which has a long-established and reputable name across North Yorkshire. I’m extremely proud to become a partner in the small animal sector four years later.”

She highlighted the success of risk-based parasiticide treatments, which have been well-received by colleagues and clients. BVG now stocks and supplies products with the lowest environmental impact, based on audited data from animal health companies. Laura also mentioned BVG’s accreditation as a ‘Zero Pain Practice,’ emphasising new techniques and training investments to enhance pain management protocols during surgeries.

Alex shared his ambition to become a partner at BVG, following years of planning and mentorship from existing partners. He attended XLVets’ ‘Aspiring Owners’ programme, which provided the inspiration and knowledge needed to take the next steps. Alex emphasised the importance of maintaining BVG’s independence to control pricing, service levels, and overall destiny, benefiting both clients and the team.

Andrew Curwen, CEO at XLVets, praised the appointment of Laura and Alex, stating, “The appointment of Laura and Alex to partners at Bishopton is a superb example of effective succession planning in a well-known and successful independent practice. For a longstanding practice like Bishopton to welcome the next generation of partners is key to safeguarding its independence. XLVets works closely with our members to help them plan for the future, sharing knowledge and experiences, creating strong alliances, and developing a collaborative culture to ensure success in the decades ahead.”