Wednesday 21st October 2026 | Online
Technology is changing the way veterinary practices operate – but you don’t need to be a technology expert to benefit from it.
SPVS Smarter Practice day will showcase practical technology, AI and digital tools to save time, improve efficiency, strengthen client relationships and help you implement the CMA remedies in your practice – having the right technology can make a real difference!
Every session is designed to provide practical ideas, real-life examples and actions you can take back to your own practice – whether you’re making the most of systems you already have or considering investing in new ones.
You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of which technologies are worth your time, which offer the greatest return on investment, and how to build a smarter, more efficient practice that is ready for the future.
This isn’t a conference for technology enthusiasts. It’s a day for busy veterinary professionals who want practical ways to run better practices, support their teams and deliver an even better experience for their clients.
With thanks to our sponsors
Throughout the day you’ll hear from experienced practitioners and industry experts who will demonstrate how technology can help you:
Included with your registration
As part of your registration, you’ll receive access to the SPVS ‘Smart Practice’ Tech Supplement – a practical downloadable guide designed to help you navigate the growing range of technology available to veterinary practices.
As part of your registration, you’ll receive access to the SPVS ‘Smart Practice’ Tech Supplement – a practical downloadable guide designed to help you navigate the growing range of technology available to veterinary practices.
Bringing together technology providers in one impartial, easy-to-use resource, the supplement explains what different solutions do, how they can support implementation of the CMA remedies, and where they fit into everyday practice workflows. Packed with independent articles, practical guidance and a consistently formatted supplier directory, it’s a valuable reference you’ll be able to return to long after the event as you plan your practice’s technology journey.
Register today to access this handy resource!
As part of your registration, you’ll receive access to the SPVS ‘Smart Practice’ Tech Supplement – a practical downloadable guide designed to help you navigate the growing range of technology available to veterinary practices.
Bringing together technology providers in one impartial, easy-to-use resource, the supplement explains what different solutions do, how they can support implementation of the CMA remedies, and where they fit into everyday practice workflows. Packed with independent articles, practical guidance and a consistently formatted supplier directory, it’s a valuable reference you’ll be able to return to long after the event as you plan your practice’s technology journey.
Register today to access this handy resource!
Event Timetable
Pete Orpin BVSc FRCVS
SPVS President
Peter graduated from Bristol in 1983 and worked in practice for 38 years. He travelled and worked in New Zealand and the Far East in 1987 before becoming a partner aged 29 in a traditional mixed practice in 1989. Over the next 38 years the practice grew to have 7 business operations working from 4 geographic clinics employing over 30 vets and 120 people.
Pete became President of BCVA in 1999 and helped tutor over 400 vets in Health Planning approaches. Throughout his career he has published over 50 papers on clinical and management topics and lectured widely in the UK and overseas. He won the Tuckey Award for the best paper from a practitioner at BCVA three times over his career.
Pete is a co-founded Myhealthyherd in 2007, a web-based program designed to predict and prevent health problems in cattle herds and co created the first online Johne’s disease control programme.
He has worked as a part time business consultant for Anval since 2000 and helps provide practical insights into how veterinary practices can improve their business operations and achieve their goals. When Peter retired from clinical practice he joined the Board of SPVS. He was Chair of the Association before progressing to Junior Vice President of the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) in 2024. Peter has been involved in the EMS, CMA and Legislative working groups and takes a keen interest in how practices can continue to thrive and develop.
Pete has been involved in the Action Group Johne’s task force since 2009, is the current Chair of the Technical Group for AGJ and has helped shape the National Johne’s Management Program which provides a proactive approach to Johne’s in over 90% of UK dairy herds. In 2021 he worked with Panlivestock to develop the Johne’s Tracker which is a tool designed to engage and measure progress with Johne’s control at herd, practice and national level.
He is currently a Board member for the International Association of Paratuberculosis.
Peter was awarded Dairy Vet of the year in 2016 and has recently achieved a RCVS Fellowship for Contributions to the Profession in 2021.
His major passions have always been how to improve the quality of work we can provide for clients whilst achieving a happy well-balanced motivated team and how infectious diseases in cattle can be more effectively controlled using risk based approaches.
Session synopsis
A introduction to the event, which aims to show practices how technology can help practices implement the CMA remedies, improve efficiency and create competitive advantage.
Session learning outcomes:
- Refresh understanding of the key CMA remedies and the practical implications for veterinary practices.
- Recognise the common priorities and challenges identified by fellow delegates, helping to focus discussions on the technology solutions that will have the greatest impact
- Understand how technology can support implementation of the CMA remedies while also improving efficiency, transparency and the overall client experience.
Jack Peploe
Veterinary IT Services CEO & Founder
Jack is a Veterinary IT Expert, Certified Ethical Hacker and CEO of Veterinary IT Services, he has worked alongside the veterinary sector since he set up his first business at age 16. He has made it his mission to help veterinary clinics across the UK utilise their technology so that they can function in a secure, professional and efficient manner, leaving vets to focus on patient care. He is passionate about ensuring he has created something that outlives him and supports other businesses to be efficient and profitable. Jack is an animal lover, and super passionate about wingsuiting – his hobby that has developed into representing Great Britain in the British Wingsuit Acrobatics team.
Session synopsis
Your Practice Management System is central to almost every aspect of running a veterinary practice. This session explores how to get more from the system you already have, from improving workflows and automating routine tasks to supporting pricing transparency and client communications. We’ll also discuss when it’s time to consider changing systems, what questions to ask suppliers, and the features that will help your practice meet evolving CMA expectations while improving efficiency and the client experience.
By the end of this session, delegates will be able to:
- Identify opportunities to use their existing PMS more effectively to improve efficiency and support CMA-related processes.
- Evaluate whether their current PMS is meeting the needs of their practice and recognise when a change may be beneficial.
- Develop a checklist of key features and integrations to consider when selecting or upgrading a practice management system.
Session synopsis:
Hear from a handful of top tech suppliers in bite-size 5 minute mini sessions
Pete Orpin BVSc FRCVS
SPVS President
Peter graduated from Bristol in 1983 and worked in practice for 38 years. He travelled and worked in New Zealand and the Far East in 1987 before becoming a partner aged 29 in a traditional mixed practice in 1989. Over the next 38 years the practice grew to have 7 business operations working from 4 geographic clinics employing over 30 vets and 120 people.
Pete became President of BCVA in 1999 and helped tutor over 400 vets in Health Planning approaches. Throughout his career he has published over 50 papers on clinical and management topics and lectured widely in the UK and overseas. He won the Tuckey Award for the best paper from a practitioner at BCVA three times over his career.
Pete is a co-founded Myhealthyherd in 2007, a web-based program designed to predict and prevent health problems in cattle herds and co created the first online Johne’s disease control programme.
He has worked as a part time business consultant for Anval since 2000 and helps provide practical insights into how veterinary practices can improve their business operations and achieve their goals. When Peter retired from clinical practice he joined the Board of SPVS. He was Chair of the Association before progressing to Junior Vice President of the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) in 2024. Peter has been involved in the EMS, CMA and Legislative working groups and takes a keen interest in how practices can continue to thrive and develop.
Pete has been involved in the Action Group Johne’s task force since 2009, is the current Chair of the Technical Group for AGJ and has helped shape the National Johne’s Management Program which provides a proactive approach to Johne’s in over 90% of UK dairy herds. In 2021 he worked with Panlivestock to develop the Johne’s Tracker which is a tool designed to engage and measure progress with Johne’s control at herd, practice and national level.
He is currently a Board member for the International Association of Paratuberculosis.
Peter was awarded Dairy Vet of the year in 2016 and has recently achieved a RCVS Fellowship for Contributions to the Profession in 2021.
His major passions have always been how to improve the quality of work we can provide for clients whilst achieving a happy well-balanced motivated team and how infectious diseases in cattle can be more effectively controlled using risk based approaches.
Adele Williams Xavier
CoVet
Adele is an equine internal specialist and veterinary AI expert. She has led the development of AI tools for the veterinary sector. She is a thought leader on responsible and ethical AI adoption, speaking and writing internationally about AI literacy for veterinary medicine. She runs an AI consultancy for the veterinary profession, supporting vets and practices on their AI adoption journeys. She works part time at CoVet, a veterinary AI copilot to assist vets during consultations.
Dr Emma Pemberthy MA (Cantab) BVM BVS MRCVS
Petscribers
Dr Emma Pemberthy MA (Cantab) BVM BVS (Notts) MRCVS is a small animal veterinary surgeon and co-founder of Petscribers. Emma initially studied Neuroscience at University, and after a brief foray into investment banking, pivoted into veterinary medicine and never looked back.
Emma has always believed that where something doesn’t work, or is inefficient, you fix it. And the prescribing process in veterinary medicine was in desperate need of improving for everyone involved. It was difficult and slow for owners, created administrative burdens for practices, and as a vet, she hated writing them (finding a mistake at the very end of writing one, when it was already 8pm at night and all she wanted to do was go home, was the bane of her existence). So, the idea of Petscribers was formed.
Petscribers was always about creating the software we wish we had in practice. Designed by vets, who have first hand experience of the pain points, and know what would make a platform that really worked for vets and made life easier for everyone involved.
When she hasn’t got her head stuck in the Petscribers database, she can be found up a climbing wall, whizzing down a ski slope, doing a spot of DIY around the house, or hatching ducklings.
Session synopsis
From digital consent forms and e-prescribing to electronic note-taking, automated rotas and charge capture, there’s a wealth of technology available to help practices work more efficiently. This session showcases practical solutions that reduce repetitive administration, eliminate paper processes, prevent missed charges and free up valuable time for your team to focus on patient care and client service.
By the end of this session, delegates will be able to:
- Identify practical technologies that can reduce administrative workload, streamline workflows and improve day-to-day efficiency within their practice.
- Evaluate where digital solutions can deliver the greatest return on investment, including reducing missed charges, eliminating paper-based processes and improving team productivity.
- Develop an action plan to implement one or more efficiency-enhancing technologies that will free up more time for patient care, client service and business development.
Jack Peploe
Veterinary IT Services CEO & Founder
Jack is a Veterinary IT Expert, Certified Ethical Hacker and CEO of Veterinary IT Services, he has worked alongside the veterinary sector since he set up his first business at age 16. He has made it his mission to help veterinary clinics across the UK utilise their technology so that they can function in a secure, professional and efficient manner, leaving vets to focus on patient care. He is passionate about ensuring he has created something that outlives him and supports other businesses to be efficient and profitable. Jack is an animal lover, and super passionate about wingsuiting – his hobby that has developed into representing Great Britain in the British Wingsuit Acrobatics team.
Session synopsis
AI and digital tools are transforming veterinary practice—but they also introduce new responsibilities around data protection, cyber security and governance. This practical session explores how to use technology safely and confidently, from developing sensible AI policies and protecting client data to understanding where information goes when using AI tools, managing recordings and digital documentation, and choosing the right software to keep your practice secure and compliant in an evolving regulatory environment.
By the end of this session, delegates will be able to:
- Develop practical policies for the safe use of AI and digital tools within their practice.
- Understand the key cyber security, GDPR and data governance risks associated with modern veterinary technology.
- Make informed decisions about software, data storage, recordings and AI platforms to protect their practice, clients and team.
Steven Goodear BVSc MRCVS
SPVS Board
Steven is a Veterinary Surgeon and the owner of a small family of vet practices in the Midlands. He has experience in starting up, buying, and managing vet practices over the last 25 years. His particular interests are in encouraging and teaching both the clinical and non-clinical team to thrive in the veterinary world, as well as advising and guiding members of the profession to take those first bigs steps in starting their own practice or moving into leadership, whether that be for Vets, Nurses or in the field of Client Care. A large emphasis is on the practical measures to empower the practice team and help them grow and understand the different personalities and how they interact. He is also keen to keep veterinary practices at the forefront of technology such as AI and automation to ensure that our practice teams can concentrate trade on what they do best, and that our patients and clients can get the best care and service possible.
His practice has most recently been awarded Most Dynamic Team at the Vet Dynamics Awards in 2025.
Outside of work, he has the never-ending task of maintaining the horsey women in his life.
Kate Higgins BVetMed MRCVS
SPVS Junior Vice President
Kate is an experienced vet, business owner and director.
After graduating from the RVC in 2002 she spent 10 years in small animal practice before acquiring her own practice in Formby, Merseyside in 2012. Since acquiring her single vet practice she has invested heavily in team and culture, growing it to a 2 site, 7 vet practice with a reputation for a supportive and collaborative practice culture, and outstanding client care.
The practice has received multiple awards including the 2023 SPVS Awards for Business Excellence in Team Dynamics and Leadership.
Kate has a particular interest in business management and leadership and is regularly invited to speak on these subjects at a number of veterinary conferences. As well as running the practice, she undertakes occasional veterinary business consultancy work and is North West Regional Representative for the British Veterinary Association.
Outside of work she enjoys “relaxing” with her 2 young children and house full of pets!
Session synopsis:
Pop along to our AI drop in session during lunch
By the end of this session, delegates will be able to:
- Use effective prompting techniques to get better results from ChatGPT and understand how to avoid common errors.
- Create simple, practical custom GPTs that can save time, reduce administration and support everyday practice tasks.
- Identify opportunities to use AI safely and effectively within their practice, from business analysis and team support to client communication and CMA-related activities.
Naomi Jenkins
Info coming soon
Gavin Durston BVM&S MRCVS
Thrums Vets
I qualified from the University of Edinburgh in 1994 and joined Thrums Vets in 1996, becoming a partner and director in 2004. During that time, I’ve had the privilege of helping the practice grow from a team of 6 vets and 4 support staff to 28 vets and a total team of 65 people.
Alongside my role at Thrums, I serve on the board of XL Vets, where I’ve seen first-hand the value that collaboration, shared learning and community bring to independent practices. I’m delighted to be joining the SPVS board because I believe organisations like SPVS play a vital role in helping practices thrive during what continues to be a period of significant change for our profession.
I’m particularly interested in practice sustainability, business models that support both clients and teams, and how innovation can help practices continue to deliver excellent care without losing the personal relationships that lie at the heart of veterinary practice.
Outside work, life is becoming increasingly centred around a growing brood of grandchildren, who are a constant source of entertainment and perspective. I also enjoy a bit of running, although these days I probably spend as much time regaling anyone who will listen with stories of multiple past ultramarathon adventures as I do actually running them!
Session synopsis
Your clients’ experience increasingly begins long before they walk through your door. From websites and online booking to Google reviews, social media and AI-assisted communication, this session explores how technology can strengthen client relationships, improve transparency and help your practice stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Through practical examples and real-world experiences, we’ll look at what works, what doesn’t, and where technology genuinely adds value.
SPVS Board member Gavin Durston will share how award-winning Thrums Vets has used technology and smarter client communication to win new clients, build trust and retain existing ones—sharing practical lessons that practices can apply straight away.
By the end of this session, delegates will be able to:
- Identify how technology can improve the client journey, from first online contact through to ongoing communication and relationship building.
- Understand how to use digital tools, reviews, websites and AI-assisted communication to increase transparency, build trust and strengthen client loyalty.
- Take away practical ideas and examples they can apply in their own practice, including lessons from Thrums Vets on using technology to attract and retain clients in a competitive marketplace.
Steven Goodear BVSc MRCVS
SPVS Board
Steven is a Veterinary Surgeon and the owner of a small family of vet practices in the Midlands. He has experience in starting up, buying, and managing vet practices over the last 25 years. His particular interests are in encouraging and teaching both the clinical and non-clinical team to thrive in the veterinary world, as well as advising and guiding members of the profession to take those first bigs steps in starting their own practice or moving into leadership, whether that be for Vets, Nurses or in the field of Client Care. A large emphasis is on the practical measures to empower the practice team and help them grow and understand the different personalities and how they interact. He is also keen to keep veterinary practices at the forefront of technology such as AI and automation to ensure that our practice teams can concentrate trade on what they do best, and that our patients and clients can get the best care and service possible.
His practice has most recently been awarded Most Dynamic Team at the Vet Dynamics Awards in 2025.
Outside of work, he has the never-ending task of maintaining the horsey women in his life.
Session synopsis
Good data is the foundation of good decision-making. This session explores how practices can use dashboards, KPIs and reporting tools to improve financial performance, monitor medicine pricing, support CMA implementation and identify opportunities for growth. Whether you’re an Excel enthusiast or considering dedicated dashboard software, you’ll discover practical approaches that help you spend less time reporting and more time making informed business decisions.
By the end of this session, delegates will be able to:
- Understand which key data and KPIs can help them make better-informed business decisions and improve practice performance.
- Identify how dashboards and reporting tools can support CMA implementation, medicine pricing decisions and financial management.
- Evaluate practical approaches to collecting, analysing and using data effectively, from simple spreadsheets to more advanced dashboard solutions.
Session synopsis:
Hear from a handful of top tech suppliers in bite-size 5 minute mini sessions
Pete Orpin BVSc FRCVS
SPVS President
Peter graduated from Bristol in 1983 and worked in practice for 38 years. He travelled and worked in New Zealand and the Far East in 1987 before becoming a partner aged 29 in a traditional mixed practice in 1989. Over the next 38 years the practice grew to have 7 business operations working from 4 geographic clinics employing over 30 vets and 120 people.
Pete became President of BCVA in 1999 and helped tutor over 400 vets in Health Planning approaches. Throughout his career he has published over 50 papers on clinical and management topics and lectured widely in the UK and overseas. He won the Tuckey Award for the best paper from a practitioner at BCVA three times over his career.
Pete is a co-founded Myhealthyherd in 2007, a web-based program designed to predict and prevent health problems in cattle herds and co created the first online Johne’s disease control programme.
He has worked as a part time business consultant for Anval since 2000 and helps provide practical insights into how veterinary practices can improve their business operations and achieve their goals. When Peter retired from clinical practice he joined the Board of SPVS. He was Chair of the Association before progressing to Junior Vice President of the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) in 2024. Peter has been involved in the EMS, CMA and Legislative working groups and takes a keen interest in how practices can continue to thrive and develop.
Pete has been involved in the Action Group Johne’s task force since 2009, is the current Chair of the Technical Group for AGJ and has helped shape the National Johne’s Management Program which provides a proactive approach to Johne’s in over 90% of UK dairy herds. In 2021 he worked with Panlivestock to develop the Johne’s Tracker which is a tool designed to engage and measure progress with Johne’s control at herd, practice and national level.
He is currently a Board member for the International Association of Paratuberculosis.
Peter was awarded Dairy Vet of the year in 2016 and has recently achieved a RCVS Fellowship for Contributions to the Profession in 2021.
His major passions have always been how to improve the quality of work we can provide for clients whilst achieving a happy well-balanced motivated team and how infectious diseases in cattle can be more effectively controlled using risk based approaches.
Jack Peploe
Veterinary IT Services CEO & Founder
Jack is a Veterinary IT Expert and Certified Ethical Hacker, who has worked alongside the veterinary sector since he set up his first business aged 16. He has made it his mission to help veterinary practices across the UK utilise their technology so that they can function in a secure, professional, and efficient manner, leaving vets to focus on patient care.
Adele Williams Xavier
CoVet
Adele is an equine internal specialist and veterinary AI expert. She has led the development of AI tools for the veterinary sector. She is a thought leader on responsible and ethical AI adoption, speaking and writing internationally about AI literacy for veterinary medicine. She runs an AI consultancy for the veterinary profession, supporting vets and practices on their AI adoption journeys. She works part time at CoVet, a veterinary AI copilot to assist vets during consultations.
Dr Angela Jones Cert AVP (EM) MRCVS
Petscribers
Dr Angela Jones BVSc CertAVP MRCVS is an equine veterinary surgeon and co-founder of Petscribers. After graduating from the University of Bristol in 2009, she spent 17 years in clinical practice, developing an interest in internal medicine and emergency and critical care.
As a practising vet, Angela recognised the challenges surrounding written prescriptions. Producing them was often time consuming and repetitive, while many pet owners remained unaware of VMD-accredited online retailers or found the process confusing to navigate.
Determined to improve the experience for both veterinary teams and pet owners, Angela co-founded Petscribers with Emma Pemberthy in 2021. What began as a medication comparison platform has evolved into the UK’s first CMA-compliant e-prescribing platform, transforming how veterinary prescriptions are created, shared and fulfilled.
Designed by vets, for vets, Petscribers reduces prescription writing time by up to 80%, embeds clinical and regulatory safeguards throughout the prescribing process, and securely connects practices, pet owners and VMD-accredited online retailers within a single workflow. The platform aims to reduce administrative burden, improve compliance and make veterinary medicines more accessible without compromising patient care.
Angela is passionate about using technology to support veterinary professionals, strengthen the vet-client-patient relationship, and improve access to care. She is an elected member of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) Council and regularly speaks and writes on veterinary innovation, prescribing, regulation and improving access to animal healthcare.
Outside of professional life, Angela enjoys staying active and exploring the Cotswolds with her young family and their dog, George.
Questions the panel will be tackling:
If you had £5,000 to invest in technology tomorrow, where would you spend it?
What’s the one technology every practice should be exploring over the next 12 months?
Which AI developments are genuinely exciting—and which are overhyped?
How will the CMA remedies change the way practices use technology?
What’s one common mistake practices should avoid?
Plus audience Q&A
