## **The British Society for Medical Mycology** # **Annual General Meeting of the British Society for Medical Mycology** ## **Monday 8[th] September 17:30 – 18:30** ## **The Assembly House, Norwich** ## **1) Apologies for absence** _Apologies were received by Thomas Rogers, Ruth Ashbee, Silke Schelenz, Rebecca Gorton, Alyssa Hudson, Elena Rosselletti._ _Present in the Room: President Malcolm Richardson (MR), General secretary Margherita Bertuzzi (MBe), BSMM treasurer Lily Novak Frazer (LNF), Meeting secretary Dora Corzo Leon (DCL), Junior Rep Norman van Rhijn (NvR), local organiser Stefan Bidula and Issy Storer, Lottie Brown, Julian Naglik, Riina Richardson, Simon Johnston, George Harrison_ _Present online: Neil Gow_ ## **2) Minutes from Annual General Meeting held 10[th] June, Cardiff** _Minutes seconded by JN and RR_ ## **3) Executive committee nominations (Margherita Bertuzzi)** _MBe announced that from September 2025, new President Prof Riina Richardson (Malcolm Richardson exiting – MBe thanked for his work), new Treasurer Elect (Dr Norman van Rhijn), and new Junior Representative (Thomas Williams – MBe thanksed exiting Junior Rep NvR for his work). Next roles to look for, with a September 2027 start: General Secretary, Meeting Secretary, Clinical Junior Rep and one Executive. MR expressed his huge gratitude towards LNF for her hardwork as treasurer in the past years. MBe reiterated, as well as all the members present._ ## **4) President’s report (Malcolm Richardson)** MR thanked all exiting Exec members, in particular LNF and reported on the ID:IOTS podcasts, our social media and the work of the BSMM working groups. In the interest of time, reports from the leads were not read but appended here. ## _**Report from the Chair of the BSMM working group on the Best practice guidance**_ _The working group has had an extremely successful year, and I am pleased to report that the manuscript: British Society for Medical Mycology best practice recommendations for the diagnosis of serious fungal diseases: 2025 update has been accepted for publication by the Lancet Infectious Diseases journal on the 4.9.2025._ Version No.: Status.: Active > Form No.: BSMM-F-04 Effective Date: 27/09/2021 Registered Charity No: 1190926 Author: ## **The British Society for Medical Mycology** _We received very positive comments from the 5 reviewers:_ _… This is a very well written manuscript, it will be useful to the reader and treating physicians. Great figures and tables, and the clinical scenarios a are wonderful addition….._ _… Congratulations on this clear and well-written manuscript…_ _… The manuscript is of really high interest to guide practice in medical mycology diagnosis in hospital setting…_ _At this point I would like to thank the BSMM committee for trusting me to lead the working group again._ _It has been busy journey, and I would also like to thank my co-authors for their hard work, immense commitment, patience, sharing their valuable expertise for this project. It has been a real pleasure to work with everyone. My special thanks is also going to David Denning who has stood by my side providing invaluable support, expertise and input throughout this project._ _The 2015 guidance has already formed the basis of the ECMM auditable standards for laboratory excellence. We are hoping that this BSMM UpToDate Best Practice guidance which is incorporating fresh new aspects will continue to help laboratory as well as clinical staff to keep raising the standards for diagnostic mycology and ultimately will help to improve patients’ outcomes._ _Kind regards_ _Dr. Silke Schelenz_ ## _**Report from the Chair of the BSMM TDM guidelines working group**_ _The group have now completed the first and second round screening of all the literature. The first-round screening was carried out by the group as a whole and the second-round screening was carried out by the people allocated to write each section. Once completed the literature was exported from Rayyan as Word and Excel files and sent to each group._ _The individual groups are now working on reading the literature and drafting the individual sections for the guidelines. It was decided that the guidelines will be written to answer 7 questions for each antifungal as follows:_ _1. Do we need to use TDM for drug X; if so in which populations?_ _2. What is the trough concentration for efficacy?_ _3. Do we need to perform TDM to prevent toxicity, and if so, what is the target concentration?_ _4. What is the recommended timing for TDM samples?_ _5. How should dose adjustments be performed for out-of-range results?_ _6. What specific risk factors may be present that could lead to out-of-range results (e.g. interacting drugs, genetic polymorphisms)?_ Version No.: Status.: Active > Form No.: BSMM-F-04 Effective Date: 27/09/2021 Registered Charity No: 1190926 Author: ## **The British Society for Medical Mycology** _7. Are there specific drug exposure issues in ‘special populations’ (e.g. ECMO, dialysis, ICU, TPN, cystic fibrosis) for drug X and if so, how should they be managed?_ _We aim to have a draft manuscript completed by the end of the year._ _Ruth Ashbee, Sept 2025_ - **5)** Scientific meetings (Dora Corzo Leon) ## _**DCL reported on Norwich 2025**_ Version No.: Status.: Active > Form No.: BSMM-F-04 Effective Date: 27/09/2021 Registered Charity No: 1190926 Author: The British Society for Medical Mycology Norwich 2025 in numbers 8asic/ Ben¢h Clinicau Bedslde pUb￿C eng¥gement Topic5 Abstracts and invited taLk5 251759hl 7121%) 18r No￿¢U1￿￿ My¢0￿8Y Career stage FUngsllrnmU￿lTrgy 38% tnyCDiogy Bioinfornwi¢$ q6 Dw8lthorapguti¢ disC￿ry ECR sr 16% alpha Laboratories + IMMY AIJN A55OCI A TES OF SEROSEP CAPE COD I % COAPOIIAfEO Form No.. BSMM-F-04 Version No.. Status.. Active Author-. Registered Charity No: 1190926 Effective Date: 2710912021 The British Society for Medical Mycology The Royal College of PatholcNJists Pathology".theSc￿n(ebehIndthec￿ 12 CPD points Cost: £50 per day Registration and daily check in required Issy and Stefan to keep record Certificates to be issued by Issy. Stefan. and Dora The go-to interdisciplinary journal for medical. dental and veterinary microbiology at the bench and in the clinic JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY MICROBIOLOGY SOCIETY Form No.. BSMM-F-04 Version No.. Status.. Active Author-. Registered Charity No: 1190926 Effective Date: 2710912021 The British Society for Medical Mycology *EIWTM)IIOF .. !ICLll￿Ah Intefnaiionaicerrtre BSMMIMicrobiology society session Wednesday 3rd December Chair: MalcoLm Richardson Speakers: -what can I do to improve my local diagnostic capacities in mycology ELatn0&i￿-AdvanCingtherapeUt1cS through R&D in medical mycology -Howwill the new 2025 invasive candidiasis guideline change my practice. Microbiology Society Building the eukaryotic microbiology community . Prowsaix Bringingirmtsd 5peakersiDfromother organisationsroanDual meeDng5to pr￿￿Oie01herarPas Oteukarwtic microbiolo￿. Hold j0intwrtu8lmeetln￿fOrlhee0￿munity0n topiCS9uch 8S . eng8getnentandoutre£¢h. Supp(rtingECRs. meet the expats. MkSACand scFMJoiseduCÈtiOn. h)tentL4ithsynewse m*tirgstO avoid etlappirW(NerextendingattendeesgNenthe ¢urrentfin?noKwl situation an¢ forcingthecLKnmunwro haveiochoose betwee Or￿ls8￿0ns. DI￿Ount r8tesforearlye8￿er m￿￿bI010gK￿9 ￿08re membèL% of8rytF* Organi$atiOnSttsÈÈeh othèr's meètings. Comingio&*rhertowgaThseaioinis855ion * a significaniiarger ¢vent le.g. ESCMIDI_ EnC￿￿gement0toUr¢￿￿)MeMbe1Slo wtforw8rd n¢xhinatlOr￿lsUgge￿tK)n8ftreath other'sPrizèS, where 8prth&bie. T￿S￿TS?r￿Y¥-Fr01￿IiIwL oD?HeDD¢yJez•L¥-￿ s8rah8uckTh￿-mlc￿L1llkn￿s rlppaEv8￿-fv%CrOb￿s0c Form No.. BSMM-F-04 Version No.. Status.. Active Author-. Registered Charity No: 1190926 Effective Date: 2710912021 ## **The British Society for Medical Mycology** _During the AGM, it was mentioned that perhaps Birmingham could host 2027 and we will follow up on this_ . ## **6) T ’ (Lily Novak-Frazer)** Version No.: Status.: Active > Form No.: BSMM-F-04 Effective Date: 27/09/2021 Registered Charity No: 1190926 Author: The British Society for Medical Mycology British Society for Medical Mycology IREASURER'S REPORT- ANNUAL ACCOUNTS SEPTEMBER 2YXJ- AUGVST ￿24 DR ULY NOVAK FRAZER. MYCOLOGY REFERENCE CENTRE MANCHESTER BSMM Accounts Sep 2023- Aug l)24 Cover, Poge I FWjIC￿STATEmE1lrS Form No.. BSMM-F-04 Version No.. Status.. Active Author-. Registered Charity No: 1190926 Effective Date: 2710912021 The British Society for Medical Mycology 5ndependent Auditor's report Page 2 Summary of Financial Activities Page 3 Form No.. BSMM-F-04 Version No.. Status.. Active Author-. Registered Charity No: 1190926 Effective Date: 2710912021 The British Society for Medical Mycology Details of Expenditure Page 5 i¥ Details of Expenditure Page 7 Form No.. BSMM-F-04 Version No.. Status.. Active Author-. Registered Charity No: 1190926 Effective Date: 2710912021 The British Society for Medical Mycology Details of Expenditure Page 6 Balance Sheet Page 4 VA7 Form No.. BSMM-F-04 Version No.. Status.. Active Author-. Registered Charity No: 1190926 Effective Date: 2710912021 ## **The British Society for Medical Mycology** _**Treasurer’s report for financial year ended 31st August 2024**_ _These are the financial statements for the British Society for Medical Mycology for the year ending 31st August 2024. This is the fourth set of accounts after converting our Society to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2021 and consists of a full 12 months’ worth of accounts._ _The Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the British Society for Medical Mycology is on the second page. This report concludes that accounting records are in accordance with accounts regulations, and that no unusual items or disclosures in the accounts seeking explanation came to the examiner’s attention._ _These accounts have also been submitted to the Scottish and English/Welsh Charity commissions in accordance with the regulations governing charities in the UK._ _The statement of financial activities is broken down in the seven-page report, which will be circulated to our membership imminently. My apologies for this delay._ _Page 3 of the accounts is a summary of the society’s income and expenditure from 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024. The details of this income and expenditure are found in the numbered Notes on pages 5-7 of the accounts. Where available, the figures for 2023 are shown on the far right for comparison. The figures shown in the accounts do not include VAT._ _The income for 2024 (page 3) consisted of subscriptions amounting to £3,115 (down considerably from £5,162 in 2023)._ _The membership subscription payment rate had improved in 2023 from the value in 2022 with the introduction of a new payment platform accessed directly from the BSMM web site. So, it’s a little disappointing that the number of subscriptions is down in 2024, considering its value for money. We urge all members to support your Society by visiting the web site to renew their membership in this manner if they have not done so already._ Version No.: Status.: Active > Form No.: BSMM-F-04 Effective Date: 27/09/2021 Registered Charity No: 1190926 Author: ## **The British Society for Medical Mycology** _As a reminder full membership is £30 per annum while student membership is £75 for 3 years. Membership allows travel award funding possibilities._ _This platform works on automated renewal so once you have subscribed, your card details remain anonymised on the system for future membership payments. There are still 4 current full members who still pay by bank transfer, which is not the favoured approach. Of course, one of the pitfalls of the automated system is that if you card expires, you will have to renew with a new card or else your membership lapses. A second snag is that if you no longer wish to be a member, you must actively seek cancellation. A few members have cancelled their membership with a stop payment; I urge anyone thinking of cancelling their membership to contact myself or the general secretary so that we can intervene, to avoid extra charges the charity must try to avoid. My thanks go to Margherita Bertuzzi and Norman van Rhijn, both of whom are key in maintaining membership and effective payment, respectively._ _The other stream of income is from annual meetings. Thank you to the organisers, sponsors and participants of the Cardiff 2024 meeting, which was very successful scientifically. The negative surplus does not reflect the dedication of the meeting organisers; however, it was predicted at last’s year’s AGM. The arrears due to delayed payment of 2023 and 2024 meeting expenses and travel grants, and to some extent delayed sponsor payments, are reflected in the 2024 accounts. As a result, together with reduced subscriptions, the total income of the BSMM for 2024 was_ _**almost £13k in deficit (compared to £13,028 in 2023)** ._ _The expenses of the Society are summarised in the lower half of page 3 and in more detail on Page 5._ _The Management and Administration costs amounted to £7865 in 2024 (compared to £2689 in 2023), reflecting increased Travel and IT costs, perhaps a consequence of increased activities and travel in the post-COVID and certainly inflation._ _Although there were two Glyn Evans Mycology awards taken up again in 2024, these will be accounted for in next year’s accounts. The society increased its allocation of Travel Grants in 2024 to £3449 (up from £2687 in 2023). Included in these accounts is the society’s support of 5 Travel Grants for the Cardiff meeting in 2024 and 4 for the Manchester meeting (all worth £200 each). In addition, the Society supported 8 prizes for these 2 BSMM meetings. A further 3 Travel Grants were awarded for attendance of European or international meetings (£1200) in this financial period. Although submissions for access to travel grants has increased moderately over the last 2 years, we encourage, particularly our student members, to apply for travel grants, especially the Glyn Evans Mycology award._ _A detailed look at the annual meetings activity is shown on Page 6._ _Here you can see the contrast between the income generated from delegate fees in 2023 and 2024 that partially explains the meetings deficit. Together the decreased sponsorship and increased venue costs compound the negative bottom line. Sponsorship will continue to be an issue, as has been experienced this year with the pull out of one of the BSMM’s major contributors._ _The balance sheet of the Society is shown on page 4 of the accounts and details the bank, PayPal and Stripe accounts held by the BSMM. The BSMM finished 2024 with a_ _**net worth of £197,093** (£221,396 in 2023)._ Version No.: Status.: Active > Form No.: BSMM-F-04 Effective Date: 27/09/2021 Registered Charity No: 1190926 Author: ## **The British Society for Medical Mycology** _I would like to thank Mr Keith Thomson of Gardner and Partners Accountants in Aberdeen, who has been a very supportive accountant for the BSMM over the last 19 years, and who has patiently continued to answer many questions in my second year as Honorary Treasurer._ _These financial statements confirm that in 2024 our Society returned to its previous activity levels and expanded its supportive funding aims._ _The modernisation of the BSMM platforms has continued to benefit record-keeping at the society - we thank our Junior Representative, Normal van Rhijn, for continued support of the digital systems used for membership and the website._ _Over the last year, I have continued fulfilling the accounting requirements for the Society, including HMRC, VAT and Charity Commission requirements. Unfortunately, due to family bereavements, I have not made the banking strides promised at the last AGM: there remains the urgent issue of securing two more saving accounts and to expand the society’s investment portfolio to enable earnings on BSMM capital and simultaneously protect and future proof the Society’s finances._ _Our shared concern should be how to retain and increase our membership considering one possibility, which is to raise the cost of membership to continue to support meetings. Uptake of travel grants has improved, and some headway has been made in supporting popular podcasts, which contribute to the modern mycology educational experience. Our collaboration with the University of Exeter on the MSc in Medical Mycology has progressed significantly with the support of our members. As the course goes into its fourth year, discussions between the Society and the University of Exeter must be prioritised on how to support its students via educational grants. Our joint educational aims to further mycology training will hopefully also yield longer-term financial benefits to the Society and feed into its membership._ _Another concern is the cost of meetings in the face of decreased sponsorship and inflation, which the society must address. How is open for discussion._ _Finally, I would like to thank the Executive Committee members and meeting organisers that I have had the privilege of working with this last year. Your help and support have been invaluable. I look forward to achieving the remaining tasks of my post in my last year while providing guidance to the next honorary secretary._ _Norwich, 8th September 2025_ _Dr Lily Novak Frazer_ _Honorary Treasurer for the British Society for Medical Mycology_ ## **7) ’ (Margherita Bertuzzi)** - **a.** _Update on membership 12 life/honorary and 175 members_ - **b.** _Newsletter MBe reported this has started again in an email format; the plan is to do this every two months and she will be seeking help from the new Junior representative._ - **c.** _Travel grants and Glynn awards_ Version No.: Status.: Active > Form No.: BSMM-F-04 Effective Date: 27/09/2021 Registered Charity No: 1190926 Author: ## **The British Society for Medical Mycology** ## _Specific for Norwich_ _Alicja Szkolnik £ 78.15 Jack Gregory £ 111.63 Thomas Easter £ 200 Edoardo Tancredi £ 200 Sagynayeva, Aidana £ 200 Mohyeddin Afrashteh £ 200 Alison Gifford £ 200_ _Others Arnab Pradhan Candida and Candidiasis 2025 conference £350 Dora Corzo Leon ISHAM 2025 £500_ ## **d.** Membership of the Executive _See above_ ## **8) BSMM MSc/Diploma/ Certificate Course (Mark Ramsdale)** Status.: Active Version No.: Registered Charity No: 1190926 > Form No.: BSMM-F-04 Effective Date: 27/09/2021 Author: The British Society for Medical Mycology MRC Centre for Medical Mycology University of Exeter PG-Cert/PG-Dip/MSc Medical Mycology (Online) LaunchedSeptember2022 2-intskes Ilanlseptl 3.sw fullyonbneprrer¥mr￿-Vlbe0semI￿￿InteractF quiuesftutoriaL FI￿bl￿tyf0rSWJen￿Qfteriry 1-6ywsofs Joini programme￿*th WIM £5000 per sw1£1250w rr￿uleI 80q6feereductiw inP&¢ertfw LMJCappWntsvi8 Unwsity funded SCI￿1¥r$h1p Programme Structure PG-Certificate PG-Diploma Msc BlOm7￿z BIOM710Z Research Methodoloey Bnd Grant Proposal Principle$of Medical Mycology BIOM701Z Medicalty Important Fu 8IOM704Z Molecular Mycology IOM705Z Immunology Fun IDiseB BIOM703Z Di8gnosis and Antihjngal Therdpy BIOM702Z ngal DiseB8• in Specth Pdtient BIOM707Z Microscow a HistoioKY Fun8al Diseases BIOM711Z Research Project Medi¢al Mycolo OiagnDSti BIOM709Z Communicating Science Form No.. BSMM-F-04 Version No.. Status.. Active Author-. Registered Charity No: 1190926 Effective Date: 2710912021 The British Society for Medical Mycology Overview in numbers... Domicile Domicile Scholarships 16 UOE funded places on PGCert 12 Modules 155 topics ￿Vered 43 tteralions on ELE 96 Contributors ICMM and BSMMI 338 Videos and transcripts1120 h) 48 students trorn 22 wunth#S 1690 Forniativg ou85t￿nS 360 Summative MC05 Total income lrninimum- based on per module completion, includine scholar5hipl £127.770 1096 of Master's stage ineomtyear 3 onw¥rd$ is £1,500 Students... 22123-4 23124- 10 24125- 18 25126-134 Contributions to programme... Vldw S•Mk¥n• 62 25 3760 2660 CMM O£¥E 133 14 720 Total 7200 R•m•thlb Form No.. BSMM-F-04 Version No.. Status.. Active Author-. Registered Charity No: 1190926 Effective Date: 2710912021 The British Society for Medical Mycology Thanks to everyone involved... U¥FKT ra BSMM CMM and UOE Module Numbers to Date (7 Sept 2025)... Module enrolled Completeil 26 Av. mark 67.41 ltycok tyi ITr?ZF￿I 25 19 21 15 16 11 71.45 8125 T1.60 NA 81.90 If￿ Patièm 79.95 9S.00 NA NA Form No.. BSMM-F-04 Version No.. Status.. Active Author-. Registered Charity No: 1190926 Effective Date: 2710912021 ## **The British Society for Medical Mycology** ## **9) Update on working groups (Malcolm Richardson on behalf of lead representative of each group)** _See above_ ## **10) Website update (Normal Van Rhijn)** Version No.: Status.: Active > Form No.: BSMM-F-04 Effective Date: 27/09/2021 Registered Charity No: 1190926 Author: ## **The British Society for Medical Mycology** _Not discussed due to time limitations, but there were mentions about the need of dedicated support as it requires a lot of work._ ## **11) AOB** _Nothing raised_ Version No.: Status.: Active > Form No.: BSMM-F-04 Effective Date: 27/09/2021 Registered Charity No: 1190926 Author: