Professor Alison Holmes appointed inaugural Director of the Fleming Initiative

Professor Alison Holmes, David Price Evans Chair of Global Health and Infectious Diseases at the University of Liverpool, has been appointed as the inaugural Director of the Fleming Initiative.

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 find equitable solutions to AMR at the global scale.

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 organisations 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.

On her appointment, Professor 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 honouring 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.”

Professor Louise Kenny, Executive Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool added: “AMR research has been a strategic focus and a major strength at the University of Liverpool. This appointment builds on existing collaborations, nationally and internationally. The Fleming Initiative under the directorship of Professor Holmes will, I am sure, prove to be a milestone in our efforts to take collective action to address AMR.”

Professor Holmes' appointment is effective immediately and her leadership will drive forward the important work of the Fleming Initiative. For more information about the Fleming Initiative please visit: https://www.fleminginitiative.org/.