Accord's Pete Kelly is new chair at BGMA

The British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA) has voted Pete Kelly, managing director of Accord UK, to become its new chair.

He replaces Peter Ballard, who has completed his second tenure as the association's chair and will now serve a further year as vice-chair.

Pete leads the UK operations of Accord, one of the largest generic and biosimilar manufacturers in Europe. In the UK, the company currently supplies a fifth of all generic medicines.

Mark Samuels, chief executive of BGMA, said: "We are very fortunate to have someone of Pete's experience and leadership qualities to take on the mantle of chair of the association. The industry faces a challenging period on many fronts, and Pete's input will be invaluable.

"I would also like to record my enormous gratitude to Peter Ballard, our out-going Chair who has been an incredible servant to the association over many, many years. He will continue for another year as vice-chair, and we are pleased to have his continuing advice."

Pete has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 20 years, the last 15 years being at Accord in a number of senior commercial roles.

He said: "It is a huge honour to be voted in as the association's new chair. Our industry is vital to the health of the UK population, and I am therefore delighted to be able to contribute to the success of the BGMA.

"Following both Brexit and the pandemic, it is paramount that the medicines from our members, which represent four out of five used by patients, can still carry out their primary mission. This is to improve access to medicines for patients at the right time while providing critical savings to the NHS."

BGMA is a trade body that represents manufacturers of four out of five medicines used by the NHS.