Simile Volume 54 - March 2025

AGM 2025 – Dr Lee Kayne elected 82nd Faculty President

The Faculty AGM was held in the heart of London’s West End at the Royal Society of Chemistry, based in Burlington House, Piccadilly, on a bright and sunny Spring Equinox Day.

Dr Gary Smyth commenced by guiding members through the agenda, during which he encouraged members to read the Annual Report for a detailed account of Faculty activities during the past year. Gary expressed delight at the growing membership and presented certificates to the newly elected Fellow, Wendy Scrase FFHom and to Dr Neeraj Mohan DFHom of Mumbai. Steven Kayne gave a short presentation on the success and importance of Simile and encouraged members to submit articles and interact with its content.

Gary thanked colleagues and staff for all the support he had received during his six and a half years in office, having taken over following the tragic passing of Dr Peter Fisher.

He then announced that Dr Lee Kayne from Glasgow had been elected President of the Faculty for the next three years and passed the Chain of Office to him. Lee expressed his gratitude to the Faculty members for placing their trust in him to lead the organisation. He said it was a privilege that he did not take lightly, and he was committed to serving to the best of his abilities. Lee then recognised the exceptional leadership of the now Immediate Past President, Dr Gary Smith, who had worked tirelessly for the Faculty, sometimes too tirelessly (judging by the number of 2am emails he was in the habit of sending to colleagues!).

Vice President, Gill Graham gave a tribute to Gary, thanking him for his time as President, and detailing his considerable efforts and highlighting the landmark occasions during his term in office. She then presented him with gifts from both the Council, admin staff and the Faculty.

Earlier in the day there were meetings of Council and the Fellows at which Dr Helen Beaumont retired as Chair (see page 27) passing the responsibility to Dr Gary Smyth.

The AGM was followed by the Richard Hughes Memorial Lecture given by Rachel Roberts, CEO of the Homeopathic Research Institute (HRI), in the presence of HRH Duke of Gloucester. Her interesting presentation was entitled Homeopathy Research in Context: 20 Years of Debate and Counting which stimulated considerable discussion. Wearing a Faculty tie, HRH Duke of Gloucester then addressed members and guests with stories of his mother, Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, who lived to 102, being treated by the Royal physicians Sir John Weir and Dr Margery Blackie. He wished the Faculty well in their future activities and then spent time chatting with members.