IBMS Congress 2025

Joanna Andrew

IBMS President,

Joanna began her career in August 1990 with a placement in the Biochemistry Department at St Albans City Hospital. Initially unfamiliar with the workings of a hospital laboratory, Joanna quickly discovered a passion for the field, realizing this was the professional path they were meant to pursue.

After graduating from the University of Hertfordshire in 1992, Joanna embarked on her career as a Medical Laboratory Assistant at the Yorkshire Clinic. This was followed by roles as a Biomedical Scientist in various hospital laboratories, including the Chemical Pathology and Immunology department at Leeds General Infirmary, the Biochemistry department at the Royal County Hospital in Winchester, and the Biochemistry department at York Hospital.

During her time in York, Joanna advanced through the career grades and is now the Network Lead for Blood Sciences within the Scarborough, Hull, and York Pathology Service (SHYPS).

A highlight of Joanna's career was serving as the department's training officer in the early 2000s when the registration and specialist portfolios were introduced. During this time, Joanna took great pride in mentoring trainees and biomedical scientists, helping them achieve their qualifications. Today, Joanna is proud to see many of those individuals in senior positions both within the department and across the country.

In addition to her clinical work, Joanna became deeply involved with the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). Initially serving as a portfolio assessor, Joanna later became an employer representative for degree accreditations. Joanna went on to join the Clinical Chemistry Specialist Advisory Panel, was elected to the IBMS Council, and currently serves as Chair of the Yorkshire Region and a member of the East Yorkshire Branch.

Simon Darby

Board Director and Head of Public Affairs, PLMR

Simon is a vastly experienced consultant, having worked in public affairs and communications for fifteen years.

PLMR has been the IBMS’s public affairs partner for the last five years and Simon has led this work – during a period of significant change in British politics.

Simon leads PLMR’s public affairs practice, advising clients on how to navigate the policy, political and regulatory environment impacting their business and helping them engage with policymakers and wider stakeholders.

Simon has an extensive track record of delivering successful public affairs and PR programmes for clients to help them achieve their objectives.

He is responsible for setting the strategic direction of our work for clients and leading account teams to ensure the delivery of high-quality campaigns. During his career, Simon has worked with clients across a range of sectors. Notably, this has included organisations within the health, life sciences, technology, skills and professional services sectors as well as across wider public service markets.

Simon works with organisations seeking to engage at a national (Westminster), devolved, regional and local government level.

He has led numerous award-winning campaigns and was recognised as the PRCA’s 2022 Public Affairs Consultant of the Year.

Dr Sarah Pitt

IBMS President Elect, University of Brighton

No bio provided

Dr Tom Bullock DClinSci FRCPath FIBMS

Consultant Clinical Scientist, NHS Blood and Transplant

Dr. Tom Bullock is a Consultant Clinical Scientist in Red Cell Immunohaematology and former Interim Chief Scientific Officer at NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). In his CSO role (2023–2024), he led scientific strategy, research, and workforce development, with a focus on blood safety and innovation.

As a Consultant Scientist, he has contributed extensively to Sickle Cell Disorder diagnostics and education, co-leading initiatives to improve transfusion lab safety and training.

Dr. Bullock also supports the Infected Blood Inquiry’s recommendations and engages widely through conferences and webinars, advocating for better care and collaboration across the NHS and scientific community.

Simon Brewer

Managing Director, South West London Pathology

No bio provided

David Wells

Chief Executive, IBMS

In June 2021, David became the IBMS Chief Executive following leading the NHS England and Improvement Pathology consolidation programme as Head of Pathology for NHS England and NHS Improvement. He led England’s pathology services in the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that NHS laboratories were able to respond to the national need in standing up the required testing at pace and scale.

For three years running, David was recognised as being one of the top 100 most powerful advocates for pathology in the global community by The Pathologist magazine (2018, 2019 and 2020). 

Previously, as an elected IBMS Council Member for the London region, David was chair of the Membership and Marketing Committee. He has also represented the IBMS on NICE diagnostic advisory panels, and various national forums, including an observer on the Royal College of Pathologist Council and in the Parliamentary and Science committee.

In October 2020, the Royal College of Pathologists awarded David Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his contribution to pathology.

Joanna Andrew

IBMS President,

Joanna began her career in August 1990 with a placement in the Biochemistry Department at St Albans City Hospital. Initially unfamiliar with the workings of a hospital laboratory, Joanna quickly discovered a passion for the field, realizing this was the professional path they were meant to pursue.

After graduating from the University of Hertfordshire in 1992, Joanna embarked on her career as a Medical Laboratory Assistant at the Yorkshire Clinic. This was followed by roles as a Biomedical Scientist in various hospital laboratories, including the Chemical Pathology and Immunology department at Leeds General Infirmary, the Biochemistry department at the Royal County Hospital in Winchester, and the Biochemistry department at York Hospital.

During her time in York, Joanna advanced through the career grades and is now the Network Lead for Blood Sciences within the Scarborough, Hull, and York Pathology Service (SHYPS).

A highlight of Joanna's career was serving as the department's training officer in the early 2000s when the registration and specialist portfolios were introduced. During this time, Joanna took great pride in mentoring trainees and biomedical scientists, helping them achieve their qualifications. Today, Joanna is proud to see many of those individuals in senior positions both within the department and across the country.

In addition to her clinical work, Joanna became deeply involved with the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). Initially serving as a portfolio assessor, Joanna later became an employer representative for degree accreditations. Joanna went on to join the Clinical Chemistry Specialist Advisory Panel, was elected to the IBMS Council, and currently serves as Chair of the Yorkshire Region and a member of the East Yorkshire Branch.

Professor Giles Yeo MBE

Giles Yeo got his PhD in molecular genetics from the University of Cambridge in 1998, after which he joined the lab of Prof Sir Stephen O’Rahilly, working on the genetics of severe human obesity.  Giles Yeo is now a Professor of Molecular Neuroendocrinology and programme leader at the MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit in Cambridge and his research currently focuses on the influence of genes on feeding behaviour & body-weight. In addition, he is a fellow of Wolfson College, and Honorary President of the British Dietetic Association.

Giles is also a broadcaster and author, presenting science documentaries for the BBC, and hosts a podcast called ‘Dr Giles Yeo Chews The Fat’. His first book ‘Gene Eating’ was published in December 2018, and his second book ‘Why Calories Don’t Count’ came out in June 2021. Giles was appointed an MBE in the Queen’s 2020 birthday honours for services to ‘Research, Communication and Engagement’. He won the Society for Endocrinology Medal in 2022.