Medilink UK CEO, Kevin Kiely, has been awarded an MBE for services to the Life Sciences sector, in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
Having co-founded Medilink in Yorkshire in the 1990s, Kevin has subsequently spearheaded the development of Medilink UK. This membership-based professional association and specialist consultancy for the UK Life Sciences sector, helps to fast track the development and global deployment of new medical products, to enhance the health and well-being of people across the world, whilst fostering national and international recognition of the UK’s world leading innovation and research capabilities. Medilink UK is now the largest representative body for the UK Medical Technology sector.
Giving his reaction to the news, Kevin said: “After the initial shock and disbelief, I feel incredibly proud to have been honoured in this way. My immediate thoughts go to the Medilink teams, past and present, who have shared Medilink’s amazing journey with me over the past 30 years. I know that we all feel very privileged to work with so many extraordinary, inspirational people within Life Science companies, NHS institutions and universities, who commit their lives to transforming the health and wellbeing of people across the world”.
Kevin has been a prominent member of the Life Sciences business community for more than 30 years, promoting connectivity and communication between companies, health delivery organisations, academia and other key stakeholders in the Life Sciences sector.  As well as participating in regional and national boards and committees, Kevin has led on major innovation / knowledge transfer projects, and he has represented government agencies internationally.
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Bill Cruise, Chairman of Medilink UK and Former President, 3M Critical + Chronic Care Solutions Division commented: “I am delighted that Kevin has been awarded an MBE for his services to the Life Sciences sector. Our sector is facing unprecedented challenges including a difficult investment climate, major regulatory reform and geopolitical tensions affecting supply. However, there are also huge opportunities to transform healthcare delivery, with advances in technology such as AI and precision medicine, if appropriate collaborations and partnerships can be formed.
“Kevin has been single minded in his determination to enhance regional and national partnerships, and in harnessing regional strengths and capabilities to offer new specialist services to the Life Sciences community. Medilink’s annual regional and national Healthcare Business Awards and ceremonies, have seen many individuals from industry, the NHS and academia recognised for their outstanding contribution to the Life Sciences sector and it is entirely fitting that Kevin, Medilink’s founder, has now been recognised in this special way.”
Congratulations also came from Prof. Richard Luxton, Director of the Institute of Bio-Sensing Technology at UWE and Chairman of Medilink South-West: “We are deeply grateful to Kevin for his support in creating Medilink South-West and for his constant energy and drive in developing Medilink UK national activity, such as our national Healthcare Business Awards and the recent launch of national Special Interest Groups. National activity such as this adds real value and complements the work that Medilink is doing in developing collaborations and driving innovation in the South-West. It’s great to see Kevin’s work recognised in this way.”