AHCS welcomes Professor Chris Hopkins as AHCS President
AHCS are delighted to announce that, as of 1st July 2025, Professor Chris Hopkins has formally taken post as President of AHCS. Professor Hopkins will hold this post until July 2027.
In the message below, Chris conveys his appreciation and presents his aspirations for the future:
“I would like to extend my deepest thanks to Professor Brendan Cooper for his outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication throughout his tenure.
Your commitment to championing the voice of healthcare scientists across the UK has helped to elevate our profession to new levels of clinical recognition and influence. Under your leadership, the Academy has strengthened its position as the authoritative voice for healthcare science, and your advocacy has ensured our contributions are better understood, more visible, and increasingly integral to the future of healthcare across the UK.
From your efforts in shaping policy and supporting professional regulation, to your inclusive and collaborative leadership style within the professional bodies council, you have laid a strong foundation upon which we can build. On behalf of the entire profession, thank you for everything you have done to guide, inspire, and represent us with such distinction.
As I now take on the responsibility of President, I do so with humility, energy, and a clear sense of purpose.
I am delighted to be able to share with you the AHCS Professional Bodies Council 2-Year Strategic Plan, which sets out a bold and collaborative roadmap for the future.
This strategic plan, developed in partnership with our Professional Bodies Council, articulates a shared vision to:
- Champion the visibility, value, and leadership of healthcare scientists across all four nations, ensuring our contribution is recognised at the highest levels of healthcare planning and delivery.
- Strengthen partnerships with our professional bodies, the NHS, academic institutions, and regulatory organisations to create unified strategies for workforce development, innovation, and service transformation to support the NHS long term plans across the UK.
- Promote inclusivity, diversity, and identity, ensuring that all healthcare scientists, regardless of background or discipline, feel part of a shared, valued professional identity.
- Drive research, innovation and future focused practice, supporting the adoption of advanced technologies, AI, and data science in ways that enhance patient care and empower the healthcare science workforce.
- Invest in early career scientists and future leaders, ensuring that the next generation has the support, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive.
It is with great respect for the past and optimism for the future that I take on this role. I look forward to working with colleagues across the UK to ensure the Academy continues to be a strong, dynamic, and unifying voice for healthcare science across all four nations.”
Professor Hopkins takes up the presidency with a deep commitment to advancing the voice and visibility of healthcare science professionals across the UK. His leadership will continue to champion the vital contributions of our workforce and ensure their role remains central to the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based healthcare.
He will play a key role in strengthening collaboration with the Professional Bodies Council and our wider network of partners. His inclusive and strategic approach will support continued engagement with stakeholders across all sectors of healthcare science.
The Academy looks forward to this new chapter under Professor Hopkins’ leadership, with confidence in his ability and experience to guide us through the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Professor Brendan Cooper, AHCS Past President said:
“I am utterly delighted that I can handover the Presidency to the skilful, amiable and experienced Prof Chris Hopkins. As I step back (but not yet totally away) I feel the role is in a very safe pair of hands! I hope Chris enjoys what is a pleasurable, challenging and positive leadership experience. I am very confident that Chris will use his leadership style to reshape the presidential role and the direction of the AHCS/PBC in the future. I wish him every success.”
John Stevens, AHCS Chair, said:
“On behalf of the Academy for Healthcare Science, I delighted to officially welcome Professor Chris Hopkins into his post as AHCS President. During his time as President-Elect, Professor Hopkins has already made a significant and positive impact on the AHCS and Professional Bodies Council. We are excited to continue building on this momentum throughout his tenure as President.”
Comments from the Four Chief Scientific Leads across the UK
“Congratulations to Professor Chris Hopkins, the new AHCS President. Thank you also to the outgoing President, Professor Brendan Cooper for all that you’ve achieved for healthcare science.
Professor Hopkins has contributed a huge amount to the healthcare science profession, using advances in science and technology to make a real difference to the lives of patients, carers and staff. I was delighted to present to you the NHS England Chief Scientific Officers Award for Research and Innovation in 2022 and I’m looking forward to continuing our work together over the coming years.”
— Professor Dame Sue Hill, Chief Scientific Officer for England
“I am delighted to congratulate Chris on his appointment as President of the Academy for Healthcare Science. The Professional Bodies Council of the Academy for Healthcare Science plays an important role in bringing together professional bodies to provide opportunities for enhanced leadership and collaboration within the Healthcare Science profession. Chris’s experience and commitment to healthcare science will be invaluable in guiding its work in the years ahead.”
— Professor Catherine Ross, Chief Scientific Officer for Scotland
“I welcome the appointment of Professor Chris Hopkins as President of the Academy for Healthcare Science, and will look forward to ongoing engagement with him and the Academy’s Professional Bodies Council in support of Healthcare Scientists and their important work in Northern Ireland.”
— Professor Ian Young, Chief Scientific Advisor for Northern Ireland
“Congratulations to Chris Hopkins on being elected as President of the Academy for Healthcare Science. Chris has been a trailblazer for healthcare science in Wales, and I am looking forward to continuing to work together as he takes that enthusiasm into a UK-wide role.”
— Vicki Heath, Chief Healthcare Science Officer, Welsh Government
Comments from Professional Bodies on the Professional Bodies Council
“The Institute congratulates Chris on his appointment as President of AHCS, we look forward to working with Chris in driving the visibility of Healthcare Scientists up the agenda for health systems. During this unprecedented period of change it has never been more important for organisations to have strong effective leadership at the helm.”
— Joanna Andrew, President of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)
“On behalf of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM), I’d like to congratulate Chris on his election as President of the Academy of Healthcare Science.
Chris is a longstanding, respected and active member of IPEM. He has contributed significantly to our work and the development of the Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering workforce. He currently serves in a senior role as Deputy Director of our Science, Technology, Engineering, Research and Innovation Council, playing a leading role in advancing science across physics and engineering in medicine.
His commitment to the profession and its contribution to wider society is clear, so his election to the Academy’s Presidency is well deserved. IPEM has been a consistent and strong supporter of the vital work of the Academy and looks forward to continuing to work closely in partnership to improve training and education for professionals across healthcare science.”
— Mark Knight, President-Elect of the Institute for Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM)
“The Association of Neurophysiological Scientists (ANS) has been a member of the Professional Bodies Council since its inception. Collaboration has been excellent, and having a voice across all disciplines of science increases our collective impact.
We are delighted to have Chris as the President of the AHCS and Chair of the Professional Bodies Council. As a professional body, we look forward to working collaboratively on the strategic vision of the Council, including fostering partnerships across all four nations.”
— Kelly Bill, Chair of the Association of Neurophysiological Scientists (ANS)
“Many congratulations to Chris on his appointment as President of the AHCS. Really excited to see him develop the strategy for the Professional Bodies Council and collaborate particularly on leadership development for healthcare scientists and non-medical prescribing. Working together as professional bodies strengthens our voice and highlights the vital role healthcare scientists play in the delivery of patient care.”
— Katharine Hayden, President of the Association for Laboratory Medicine (ALM)
“AGIP is proud to be part of the collaborative and forward-thinking Professional Bodies Council. We look forward to working with Chris to continue strengthening cross-specialty partnerships and championing the vital role of Healthcare Science.”
— Samantha Scott, Chair of the Association of Gastrointestinal Physiologists (AGIP)
“Professor Hopkins brings exceptional leadership experience and commitment to continuing the collaboration across healthcare science disciplines. His appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the Academy as we strengthen our partnerships through the Professional Bodies Council and expand our inclusive approach to working with allied organisations, including the Institute of Medical Illustrators. Together, we’re building a more connected healthcare science community, that recognises the vital contributions of all professionals who advance patient care through scientific excellence in our fields. It’s all about recognising that we’re stronger when we work together and make sure everyone has a voice in shaping the future of healthcare science.”
— Cat Lamoon, Chair of the Institute of Medical Illustrators (IMI)
“As a professional body the Association of Renal Technologists (ART) highly values our relationship with the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS). This collaboration enables ART to work with the AHCS and other professional healthcare science bodies to support the advancement of healthcare science professions. We see the benefits as being ensuring consistent and high-quality care across renal technology and other clinical science disciplines, enhancing career development, building public confidence in healthcare services, and strengthening lobbying efforts for policy changes, funding, recognition of clinical technologists and ensuring a voice in healthcare policy discussions.”
— Roger Moore, Chairman of the Association of Renal Technologists (ART)
“The Professional Body Council is the perfect forum for networking and collaboration between Healthcare Science societies under the umbrella of the AHCS. We support the collective process of addressing common goals and hurdles. A united voice that represents all Healthcare Scientists at governmental level is the prime way to promote our profession.
— Kamran Modaresi, President of The College and Society for Clinical Vascular Science (CSVS)
