Thursday, 07 August 2025
Professor Gary England, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingham, has received an Honorary Degree from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC).
Professor England was recognised for his pioneering contributions to veterinary clinical practice, education and research, particularly in the field of small animal reproduction.
After graduating from the RVC in 1986, Professor England continued at the RVC to gain specialist clinical qualifications in diagnostic imaging and reproduction, as well as completing his PhD and post-doctoral training.
He has since held various leadership roles at Guide Dogs UK, including Acting Chief Executive, and has led ground-breaking research, including the first successful in vitro fertilisation in dogs and studies linking environmental chemical exposure to declining fertility.
A committed academic and clinician, Professor England has played a central role in strengthening veterinary education in the UK, founding multiple organisations focused on postgraduate training and professional development, and establishing the UK’s first new veterinary school in decades at the University of Nottingham where he has served as Dean for 20 years.
He also played a key role in the wider profession with leading roles in both the revised Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the UK Veterinary Schools Council, in which he served as its first Chair.
I’m not the sort of person who wishes to be highlighted, but as graduate of the Royal Veterinary College I was delighted to have been awarded an honorary degree. It was lovely to attend the RVC Graduation Ceremony, to see the significant development of the College, to catch up with previous colleagues, and to meet new veterinary graduates about to start their own journey in our amazing profession.”
Professor Stuart Reid CBE, President & Principal of the RVC, said: “Honorary degrees are a means by which we at the RVC can recognise and promote the excellence of outstanding members of our community. We are now fortunate to be able to count both of our honourees amongst our alumni and to hold them up as role models for future generations of our student body.”
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 97 in the world and 17th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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