PHILIPS’ UK & IRELAND CEO, NEIL MESHER, TO CHAIR ABHI
Topic : News and Press Type : Press Release
The Association of British HealthTech Industries, the UK’s leading industry association for health technology, has announced Neil Mesher, CEO, UK & Ireland of Philips, as its new Chair. Neil replaces the outgoing Philip Kennedy, Managing Director, Eschmann Technologies, who has Chaired ABHI’s Board for the past seven years.
A member of Philips’ Western European Leadership Team, Neil also serves as a Non-Executive on the Board of MHC, a diagnostic SME, and has been an active member of ABHI’s Board since 2014, providing leadership on a number of national initiatives.
ABHI Chief Executive, Peter Ellingworth commented: “It has been an enormous pleasure to work alongside Phil, under whose leadership our Board of Directors has flourished and become more diverse and representative of our industry. That he has been at the helm during Brexit and the global pandemic, two potentially crippling events from which our Association has emerged stronger and more relevant, is testament to his vision and the inspiration he has provided to our team. As well as leaving a true, benevolent legacy, Phil will continue to play a significant role in the life of ABHI and the wider HealthTech sector.”
Neil Mesher said: “It obviously goes without saying it is a very great privilege and no small responsibility to take over as ABHI Chair. In the time since Philips joined ABHI, it has offered us, and me personally, innumerable opportunities to develop networks and identify commercial openings. I am determined to ensure others realise the potential that exists for them, as well as working collectively to advance the interests of our industry and the patients we serve. As one set of challenges begins, hopefully, to abate, many others remain.
A new regulatory framework, a difficult trading environment, a raft of requirements to satisfy the NHS’s green agenda and understanding the UK's role on the international stage post-Brexit, are all things we must tackle in the months ahead. We can best do this by strengthening and expanding our member base, increasing our engagement with those that share our aims, and being objective, yet assertive in our interactions. I am fully committed to helping ABHI’s talented team deliver its objectives in the months and years ahead.”
Phil Kennedy added, “I am really proud of our progress in the seven years I have been Chair, and particularly pleased with the impact we have had as a Board during the pandemic. We will build on this through the next phase of the life of the Association, and, having worked with Neil for many years, I know we are in great hands to continue to develop. I am very much looking forward to balancing running and growing our own SME with remaining involved at Board level with ABHI, something which is very much in my blood.”
Neil’s role as ABHI Chair is effective from 1st April 2022.