Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) from across the UK have been recognised for outstanding professionalism and commitment to their training at the sixth National SQP Awards, which were held in London on Friday (November 11).
Paul Cartledge, deputy manager of the Jollyes store in Cannock, Staffordshire, was named Companion Animal SQP of the Year.
All the finalists in Companion Animal Category were graduates from SQP regulator Vetpol.
Paul said: “I really enjoy putting everything I have learnt on the Vetpol course into action each day, providing pet owners with the best advice and helping to make a difference to the health and welfare of animals. Winning the award is the icing on the cake!”
Linda Pandeli, HR manager at Jollyes, added: “Paul’s passion for supporting our customers shines through. We are so pleased that his hard work and expertise has been recognised and extremely happy to support him as an SQP.”
Keri Whitwell, who works at Isle Veterinary Group in Ely, Cambridgeshire, was named National SQP of the Year, and also Equine SQP of the Year.
In the retail categories, J S Hubbuck in Hexham, Northumberland, was named Independent Store of the Year; and Elizabeth Barrett of Mole Country Stores in Fauld, Staffordshire, picked up the award for Store Manager of the Year as well as Farm SQP of the Year. Mole Country Stores in Piercebridge was named Multiple Store of the Year.
In further awards, the Veterinary Practice SQP of the Year was Emma Parkinson, who works at Tenbury Veterinary Services in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire; Chloe Lewis, the owner of Nutrifec, was named Newly Qualified SQP of the Year and also the winner of the Outstanding Customer Service Award; and Mark Pass, from Beeston Animal Health, won the Nutritional Expertise Award.
This year’s Special Achievement Award was presented to Sandy Robertson, the owner of Equine Endo in Lincoln, while the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Philip Sketchley, the former chair of AMTRA.
