IBMS Congress

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26 Sep 2011IBMS President Kenny Rae: official opening address

IBMS President Kenny Rae officially opens Congress 2011

IBMS President Kenny Rae opened Congress 2011, here is a transcript of his opening address.

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and may I, on behalf of Council, extend a very welcome to you all to Congress 2011, I do hope you enjoy the experience.

It is no exaggeration to say that together we stand at the cusp of a very significant point in the history of the Institute of Biomedical Science.  We are on the threshold of our centenary year and a new era in its rich and impressive history.

As I am sure all of us are aware we are also entering a new era of healthcare provision, the likes of which has not existed since the inception of the health service in 1947. 

Undoubtedly this will have a profound effect on many of us as our working environments may change, the technologies we use change and the people we work alongside change too.

But change has been a feature of our profession throughout the history of the Institute.  

Harold Wilson in 1967 said "he who rejects change is the architect of decay. He also said "the only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery".

We know we will face challenges but are confident we can continue to build on the strengths we have. We are a profession that adapts and develops as indeed does the Institute. Somewhat like Janus we look to the past and learn from these experiences but also look forward to build on these in preparing the profession for the 21st century and beyond.

This Congress is delivered by the profession, for the profession. This is an example of what we can achieve together; More than two thousand people coming together over the next three days to participate in a programme of events devised by biomedical scientists for biomedical scientists.

Today, we are also making history as I welcome our 2011 Albert Norman speaker. Albert Norman was one of the founding members of the Institute and since the conference in 1966, a memorial lecture has been given in his honour. Albert Norman was a driving force within this institute and he was still a member of Council at the time of his death 1964.

It was at the 1924 conference that the first presentation of the Institute’s most prestigious award was made. The Sims Woodhead Memorial medal was presented to Albert Norman. The citation read: "In common accord we, the undersigned past and present officers and members of Council, unite in expressing our grateful thanks to you for your unique work in connection with the foundation, consolidation and development of the Association".

Albert Norman remained a Council member and a key influence within the Institute until his death in 1964 at the age of 82. In an address, at the memorial service held in February 1965, Dr E T C Spooner, a Past President, said that "few men are as privileged as Albert Norman, who was able to see his life work come to such abundant fruition. His profession and the whole country owe him their gratitude". The following day, as the first item of business, Council passed a resolution “that the memory of Mr Albert Norman be perpetuated by a Norman Lecture, normally to be given at each triennial conference”. This year the Albert Norman lecture, as it is known within the Institute, will be given by someone well known to all of us: Mr Alan Potter MBE.

Alan was, until the beginning of this year, the Institute’s Chief Executive and is a person whose name will sit alongside that of Albert Norman as someone who has so positively and profoundly shaped the history of this Institute. He was the Institute’s Chief Executive for over 20 years, championing the Institute and the profession. Alan is loyal and never more so than to this organisation, guiding us leading us and supporting ten Presidents through the challenges of their respective presidencies, the last of which was me. Alan was more than simply our Chief Executive, he was our friend. Alan is a visionary and the exciting, professional Congress that you see today was one of Alan’s visions for empowering and showcasing our profession.

Alan’s contribution to biomedical science is recognised beyond the immediate Institute environment as is seen by him being awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Westminster in 2008 and in the same year an MBE for his services to science. It is therefore most fitting that Alan should deliver this years Albert Norman lecture. Please welcome Mr Alan Potter."