The last quarter saw IBioIC host our 9th Annual Conference, which got off to a fantastic start with plenary talks from championship cyclist and EoS Advisory partner Mark Beaumont, Ivan McKee, MSP, and Karama Neal from the USDA’s Biopreferred programme. Delegates enjoyed lots of lively networking opportunities both days and the conference dinner. Many thanks go to all our speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, and delegates for making it one of the most successful conferences yet. Congratulations also to our three student award winners who took home four prizes between them.

We have had another busy quarter launching a new round of projects and securing excellent industrial placements for our Masters students. The Women in Synthetic Biology network expanded their work encouraging and supporting diversity in the biotechnology sector by teaming up with the UK’s BIA Women in Biotechnology group to deliver a successful conference fringe breakfast event. Senior business engagement manager, Annelie du Plessis, went on a tour of the Highlands and Islands last month to meet some of the businesses doing exciting things with seaweed and textiles, while the BCB team held an outreach event at Glasgow’s Queen Street Station with a selection of bio-based products donated by our members.

It’s also been an exciting quarter for the wider community, with our members celebrating award wins, announcing project and product launches, publishing white papers, and expanding their teams. We were delighted to welcome the launch of MiAlgae’s first product and to celebrate Eco Cascade’s launch event.

Congratulations are also due to our most recent Scottish EDGE winner. Tuggs is an award-winning dog food start-up creating freshly prepared dog food in a sustainable way, and we are delighted to be able to support them on their journey.

This edition also features a selection of thought leadership articles and I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading their insights and opinions.

Finally, I am delighted to welcome our newest members this quarter: AL-2 Teknik UK, BBSRC, Cexal, C-Source Renewables, Grampian Growers, EVA Biosystems, Natural Scottish Wax, UK Urban Agritech, and Varicon Aqua. We look forward to seeing you at IBioIC’s Member Summer Networking event on 15 June, in Glasgow.

Best wishes

Mark