Dr Polton, who joined North Downs Specialist Referrals in Surrey in 2008 and became clinical director in 2012, has now been appointed as hospital director.
New regulations are being introduced in the coming weeks, but welfare organisations are unhappy that a key measure was changed following opposition from jockeys.
Nepalese vet student Somnath Aryal is the inaugural recipient of scholarship, which provides a US$15,000 (£12,370) grant to support his research into canine tick-borne diseases in the country.
The company, which employs around 8,000 people across the UK and Europe, has declined to comment on reports suggesting it could be sold later this year.
First research phase is being conducted in January and February, and aims to analyse amount and distribution of UK canine health research funding in past decade.
Senior politicians have indicated they are willing to look into the state of the veterinary sector in Wales after hundreds of people signed an online petition on the issue last year.
Time is running out for vets, researchers and students to submit their applications for the annual prizes organised by The Kennel Club Charitable Trust.
Chief executive Lizzie Lockett believes recent history has shown both her organisation, and the wider sector, can provide for animals and the public despite current challenges.
Dogs Trust received 50,000 owner requests for them to take on their pets last year – while a new survey found vet bills to be the highest cost concern for owners in 2023.
Fourteen events are planned between January and April, and officials say they want to extend their work to consider collective, as well as individual issues.
Sheep Veterinary Society warns of a risk of reduced availability or increased cost for strong iodine (10%) used for navel dressing of neonatal lambs, due to production ceasing at main source in Chile.
The two-day event will be held online from 23 to 24 February and organisers are promising a stellar line-up of speakers, as well as interactive sessions and networking opportunities.