David Wells appointed as Science Council Chair
The Science Council has announced that David Wells CSci, Chief Executive of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), has been appointed as the new Chair of its Board of Trustees. David, who has been a trustee of the Science Council since 2022, will succeed Adam Donnan in September 2024.
David was appointed Chief Executive of IBMS in June 2021. Prior to this, he led the NHS England and Improvement Pathology consolidation programme, seeking to deliver efficient, high quality pathology services across England. During the COVID 19 Pandemic, he led NHS England’s laboratory response across the country by managing technology deployment, capacity, funding and workforce to ensure that all capacity requirements were met. For this leadership he was awarded the CSO’s Lifetime Achievement Award, an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Pathologists, and an Honorary Doctorate in Science from Anglia Ruskin University.
As well as having been an IBMS council member for the London Region, David has represented the IBMS on NICE diagnostic advisory panels and various national forums. He has also sat as an observer on the Royal College of Pathologists Council and the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee.
David commented on his appointment:
“It’s an honour to be appointed as the next Science Council Chair and I want to pay tribute to Adam’s leadership over the past three years. The Science Council’s strength lies in its diverse membership of learned and professional bodies, working together to ensure that the science workforce is professional, diverse, inclusive, and engaged in tackling some of the most pressing challenges facing society. The Science Council and its Members continue to work tirelessly to uphold professional standards for scientists, promote equity, diversity and inclusion, and raise the profile and esteem of the technical science workforce. I am excited about the Science Council’s future and look forward to working with Members, my fellow trustees, committee members, staff and volunteers to build on that success.”
Adam Donnan has been Chair since 2021. Prior to his appointment, he was a trustee between 2017 and 2021. The Science Council is hugely grateful for his dedication and leadership over the past 8 years.
Adam Donnan commented:
“Having been Chair of the Science Council since 2021 and a trustee since 2017, I have seen it grow into an increasingly respected organisation. It has been a privilege and a fantastic learning experience, and I am confident that under David’s leadership, the Science Council will reach new heights in the pursuit of its mission. I have particularly valued learning more about scientific disciplines outside of environmental sciences and working closely with many people from across the membership. I will continue to advocate for the important role that the Science Council and Members play within the science community and beyond. I wish everyone involved with the Science Council every success as we work together to create a lasting impact in science.”