The recognition follows an exceptional six nominations for the IBMS at this year’s Memcom Excellence Awards, which celebrate outstanding achievement across the membership, association, charity and not-for-profit sectors.
Team of the Year
IBMS Council was Highly Commended for Team of the Year, recognising the collective leadership of the Institute’s elected national and regional representatives.
Council members combine their roles as directors and charity trustees with their professional careers, giving their time and expertise to help set the strategic direction of the IBMS and ensure the organisation remains led by and accountable to its members.
Central to their nomination was Council’s role in supporting the successful delivery of the IBMS Strategy 2022–2025 – the Institute’s most ambitious strategy to date. Developed by Council and informed by members, the strategy helped transform the IBMS into a more modern, outward-facing and influential organisation.
Working closely with staff, committees and volunteers, Council provided the strategic oversight and professional expertise that helped deliver progress across education and training, professional standards, advocacy, public engagement and workforce development. During the strategy period, the IBMS strengthened its relationships with policymakers and partners, expanded its influence and delivered major developments to support members and the wider biomedical science profession.
Representing Council, IBMS President Sarah Pitt said:
To see Council recognised in this way is a wonderful acknowledgement of the commitment our members make to the IBMS and the wider profession.
Council brings together colleagues from across biomedical science who contribute their experience, challenge and ideas because they care deeply about the future of our profession and the Institute that represents it. I’m particularly proud of the role Council has played in helping to deliver our ambitious strategy and ensuring that the IBMS continues to evolve in response to the needs of our members and the profession.
This recognition belongs to every member of Council, and also reflects the close partnership between Council, our staff, committees and wider volunteer community.
CEO Leadership Award
David Wells was also Highly Commended in the CEO Leadership Award, recognising his leadership of the Institute during a period of significant development and transformation.
Since becoming Chief Executive, David has led an ambitious programme to strengthen the IBMS and increase the influence and visibility of biomedical science. This has included modernising qualifications and professional development, strengthening the Institute’s policy and advocacy work, building new partnerships across healthcare and industry, and ensuring the profession has a stronger voice with policymakers and healthcare leaders.
His leadership has also placed collaboration at the heart of the Institute’s development, bringing together staff, members and volunteers around a shared ambition for the profession.
David said:
I’m incredibly proud to receive this recognition, but leadership is never the achievement of one person. This reflects the hard work, expertise and commitment of our staff, Council, members and volunteers who make everything we achieve possible.
We have been ambitious about what we want the IBMS to achieve for our members and the profession, and I’m fortunate to work alongside people who share that ambition and work incredibly hard to make it happen. This recognition belongs to all of them.
The two Highly Commended honours came after the IBMS was shortlisted in six categories:
- Best Website
- Best Non-Celebratory Event (£100K+) for IBMS Congress 2025
- Best Magazine for The Biomedical Scientist
- Best Professional Body and Learned Society
- Team of the Year for IBMS Council
- CEO Leadership Award for David Wells.
The breadth of the nominations recognised achievements from across the organisation – from a record-breaking Congress and the launch of the new IBMS website to the Institute’s wider work supporting members, influencing healthcare and advancing biomedical science.
Being Highly Commended in two of the awards provides further recognition of the people, collaboration and collective leadership behind that work.
