Dear Colleagues,

Strength to strength is my aspiration for BAPES. My association with it is now coming up to 20 years which has grown year upon year. Closer ties and involvement over the last 10 years initially was in developing the website leading to its transformation and establishment of an online presence. The next role was holding the office of the Honorary Secretary for almost 4 years (2015-2019) which I executed diligently and went the extra mile and beyond. This experience provided the unique opportunity to understand the workings of the society. Being part of the pioneering group to run the BAPES Advanced Skills Scholarship course, paved the way to an offshoot: The Advanced Skills Lap Urology Course and have been running it successfully for the last 3 years. In addition, I organised the first BAPES 2-day Lap Urology Live Workshop in the early part of this year. Mentoring has always been a worthwhile investment in my practice and have provided this in abundance to others in the country and overseas. These interactions gave birth to novel techniques which have been published widely in literature. BAPES in the next 5 years needs to pursue to be a forum for ongoing interaction and development of laparoscopic techniques and also engage and collaborate with other minimally invasive disciplines such as interventional radiology. Secondly is adaptation to newer ways of teaching and training as we see more online platforms to deliver this, such as regular “meet the expert” sessions and lastly, but not the least, promote the reporting of our outcomes and this I believe is the only way to improve and learn from others. With a clear mandate from the membership I will endeavour to carry BAPES to greater heights. I look forward to your valuable support and friendship in this exciting venture.

Abraham Cherian

Since inception in 1999, BAPES has provided a platform for improving standards in paediatric minimal access surgery (PMAS); it has facilitated the sharing of ideas, provided learning opportunities and promoted research. The BAPES family has supported my professional development and it would be a privilege to contribute to taking the organization further as President. 

A long-standing BAPES member, I served on the executive (2015 - 2019) that helped stabilize the organization after a turbulent period. I have contributed to the design, set up and running of PMAS simulation courses and I lead the recent revision of the BAPES constitution (adopted 2019). The current executive group has worked hard to consolidate the gains and are to be congratulated. 

Key tasks for the next President;

• Continue and consolidate COVID and Post COVID era organizational pivot, particularly with regard to the running of courses and meetings

• Broaden and deepen membership participation eg expand the range of accessible courses and encourage research in response to feedback

• Improve local training opportunities for UK trainees by having an identifiable and well supported PMAS training lead for each paediatric surgery centre

• Facilitate the provision of a heat map of PMAS service provision in the UK

• Further enhance mutually beneficial partnerships eg with BAPS, IPEG, ESPES, JPES

• Facilitate institutional links to contribute to the safe development of PMAS in low and middle income countries

I am committed to BAPES and its founding principles. I work well in teams and would enjoy the challenge of working with the executive to deliver on the goals above. I have the skills, experience and strong UK and international professional networks that would enable me to discharge the duties of BAPES President effectively. 

Niyi Ade-Ajayi

Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, KCH

Lead for Paediatric Minimal Access Surgery

Co-Chair, International Affairs Committee, BAPS