Gordon Buchanan MBE presented Laura with her award at the CQ Graduation ceremony.

Laura Lacey accepted her award at the 2026 CQ graduation ceremony. 

Central Qualifications (CQ) has revealed the winner of its annual Veterinary Nursing Educator of the Year Award.

Laura Lacey, of Coleg Glynllifon, was announced as the winner at CQ’s Graduation and Awards ceremony at Central Hall, Westminster on Saturday 28 March.

Ms Lacey, who was nominated for the compassion and understanding she showed students throughout their training, said:  

“I am astonished and astounded that I have been awarded this honour. It can be very hard work, and there are difficult days for sure, but knowing that the impact we have as educators is appreciated by the ones we do it for is humbling.

“I am proud to be part of the next generation's journey. I love seeing them thrive in an industry that I am so passionate about, still after a quarter of a century in it!”

The ceremony brought together graduates, families, friends and CQ staff to recognise the hard work and dedication of veterinary nursing students.

Wildlife filmmaker and presenter, Gordon Buchanan MBE, presented the students with their awards and delivered the keynote speech, in which he discussed his unconventional route into his career.

He spoke about his time as a filmmaker’s assistant to document the rare species living in Sierra Leone, and shared some of the interesting situations his filmmaking has taken him into, including a close encounter with a polar bear.

Jacqui Garrett, CQ director, said: “We had a wonderful day celebrating the achievements of our veterinary nurse graduates. They have all worked incredibly hard to reach this milestone, and we wish them every success in their future careers.”

Image (C) Central Qualifications.