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Inaugural Director of the Fleming Initiative appointed 17 Oct 2024

Professor Alison Holmes has been appointed as the inaugural Director of the Fleming Initiative, it has been announced today.

Established by Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, the Fleming Initiative brings together research scientists, policymakers, clinicians, behavioural experts, public, and commercial partners to provide the networks, expertise and skills to provide equitable solutions to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at the global scale.

Professor Alison Holmes is a renowned expert in infectious diseases, currently serving as the David Price Evans Chair of Global Health and Infectious Diseases at the University of Liverpool and a Professor at Imperial College London. Her internationally recognised research focuses on infectious diseases and antibiotic use, particularly in the prevention of infections and the optimization of antimicrobial therapies.

Trained as an infectious diseases physician, Professor Holmes was previously director of infection prevention and control at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. She has held significant roles within the NHS and on international boards, including the Helmholtz Health Strategic Advisory Board in Germany and the scientific board of Singapore's National Centre for Infectious Diseases.

As a former President of the International Society for Infectious Diseases, she has contributed her expertise to several WHO advisory groups and panels. Additionally, she has served on national and international scientific committees, including UKRI, MRC, SFI, and the ERC Advanced Grants panel.Her involvement with key UK bodies includes the Government's Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Prescribing, Resistance, and Healthcare Associated Infections, as well as NICE’s Antimicrobial Health Technology Evaluation Committee.

Professor Holmes leads a dynamic research portfolio that includes large-scale international collaborations aimed at improving antimicrobial use, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.Notably, she leads the Wellcome Trust funded Centres for Antimicrobial Optimisation (CAMO-Net), a groundbreaking global initiative. She has secured funding from organizations such as NIHR, EPSRC, GRF, ESRC, and MRF and has received recognition from NIHR with two Senior Investigator awards. A Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, she was honoured with an OBE in 2021 for her contributions to medicine and infectious diseases.

Professor Alison Holmes, said: “The Fleming Initiative’s ambition to unite scientists, policymakers, and the public is a vision I have long championed. I look forward to playing a central role in fostering a global movement to combat antimicrobial resistance while honoring the legacy of Fleming and his laboratory at St Mary’s Hospital.”

Lord Darzi, executive chair of the Fleming Initiative, said: “I am delighted that Professor Holmes will lead this global initiative. Her extensive experience in coordinating pioneering networks in AMR and her leadership roles will be crucial in advancing the Fleming Initiative’s ambitious vision.”

We warmly welcome Professor Holmes to her new role and look forward to her leadership in driving forward the important work of the Fleming Initiative.

At the heart of the Fleming Initiative will be the Fleming Centre, set to open at St Mary’s Hospital in 2028 to help to mark the centenary of the discovery of penicillin at the hospital by Sir Alexander Fleming. At the Centre, scientists will work alongside clinicians, patients, members of the public and policy makers to scope, test and scale solutions. 

The Centre is also a key part of the Trust’s Paddington Life Sciences development, which aims to create a thriving ecosystem for life sciences research and innovation in north west London.