On 26 November 2024, I had the privilege of attending the prestigious Regius Professorial inaugural lecture of Ian Wong at Aston University. I was invited in my capacity as deputy chief scientist at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS). This was a particularly special occasion for me, as Wong was one of the lecturers who left a lasting impact on my pharmacy journey during my time as a student at the University of Bradford in the 1990s. That was his first lectureship role and his influence on my career continued when he offered me my first honorary lectureship at UCL School of Pharmacy in 2016.
The evening started with a mini-symposium that brought together insights from pharmacy strategy, policy and research. Highlights included:
- A lecture by David Webb, chief pharmaceutical officer for England, on strategic direction for pharmacy in England;
- An inspiring talk by Lisa Cotterill, chief executive of the NIHR Academy, focusing on tailored support from NIHR to increase research capacity for pharmacy professionals;
- Practical advice from Joan Marsh, editor-in-chief of The Lancet Psychiatry, on publishing in high-impact journals such as The Lancet.
The inaugural lecture
Wong’s lecture was a powerful reflection on his 30-year career, blending professional milestones with personal values. He shared how his faith has shaped and continues to guide his principles, offering an inspiring perspective on resilience and purpose. He also reflected on key lessons he has learned over the years and shared his vision for building high-performing teams.
The lessons Wong offered in his lecture included:
- Be open to advice: learning from the experiences of others accelerates personal and professional growth;
- Ask questions freely: curiosity is critical for developing both methodological expertise and effective teamwork;
- Innovative and strategic thinking: balancing creativity with a strategic approach is foundational to impactful work;
- Pursuit of excellence: a commitment to high standards ensures meaningful and lasting contributions.
Vision for building strong teams
Wong emphasised the importance of fostering a collaborative and innovative team environment. He encouraged colleagues to focus on:
- Coherence and innovation: teams thrive when they share common goals and pursue new ideas together;
- A ‘can-do’ attitude: positivity and resilience are key to overcoming challenges;
- Mutual care: supporting one another builds trust and enhances team wellbeing;
- Pushing limits together: constructive challenges help teams grow and reach their full potential.
Box: The significance of a Regius Professorship
A Regius Professorship is among the highest academic honours in the UK, reflecting exceptional achievement and prestige. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘King’s Professor’. Historically, these appointments were limited to a handful of ancient institutions, such as Oxford, Cambridge and Trinity College Dublin.
Only 14 Regius Professorships have been created since the reign of Queen Victoria. Aston University was awarded its Regius Professorship in 2016 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday. This was the first time a pharmacy school received this rare and distinguished honour.
Diane Ashiru-Oredope: lead pharmacist for antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections division at the UK Health Security Agency; deputy chief scientist at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society; and honorary chair and professor of pharmaceutical public health at the University of Nottingham
