About The Company of Biologists
The Company of Biologists is a not-for-profit publishing organisation dedicated to supporting and inspiring the biological community.
We are run by distinguished practising scientists. We exist to profit science, not shareholders. We inspire new thinking and support the community of biologists.
The focus of our activities is:
- publishing leading peer-reviewed journals
- facilitating scientific meetings and communities
- providing travel grants for young researchers
- supporting and funding research societies
About the Board of Directors
We are privileged to have a Board of Directors who give their time to The Company of Biologists without payment. They bring extensive experience from across life sciences, clinical research and scientific publishing, combining scientific leadership with publishing expertise to support the Company’s mission and further its influence.
List of Directors
Professor Sarah Bray
Chair of the Board
Genetics, Molecular Biology & Development Biology, University of Cambridge, UK
Professor Stephen Royle
Deputy Chair of the Board
Cell biologist at the Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology, University of Warwick, UK
Professor Steven Kelly
Photosynthesis, Evolution, Gene expression and Bioinformatics, University of Oxford, UK
Professor Jane Langdale
Plant developmental biologist with an interest in the evolution of developmental mechanisms, University of Oxford, UK
Professor Sally Lowell
Chair of the Sustainability Committee
Developmental and stem cell biologist at the Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, UK
Jayne Marks
CEO of Maverick Publishing Consultants
Professor Pleasantine Mill
Chair of the Workshops Committee
Group leader at the Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, UK
Professor Mark Peifer
Cell and developmental biologist at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
Professor Holly Shiels
Cardiac physiologist at the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
Professor Austin Smith
Chair of the Audit Committee
Medical Research Council Professor, Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, UK
Professor Daniel St Johnston
Chair of the Investments Committee
Developmental biologist at the Gurdon Institute, Cambridge, UK
Professor Stephen Tait
Deputy Director and Professor, Mitochondrial Cancer Biology – School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK
Professor Sylvie Urbe
Chair of the Grants Committee
Professor of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, University of Liverpool, UK
Celebrating 100 years
2025 marked the 100-year anniversary of The Company of Biologists. We celebrated this important milestone with numerous activities throughout the year, including a unique scientific conference that took place in March.
A history of inspiration
The Company of Biologists was created by eminent zoologist George Parker Bidder III.
The British Journal of Experimental Biology, a young and dynamic publication, had run into financial difficulties despite having subscribers including H.G. Wells, Julian Huxley, R.C. Punnett and a series of key world institutions. Bidder was determined to save it; he saw its importance in giving talented scientists a voice and bought the journal for £150.
On 15 October 1925 The Company of Biologists was born. Bidder installed James Gray, a young experimental biologist, as the Editor-in-Chief (and in 1930 the journal was renamed The Journal of Experimental Biology). A scientist of rising stature and broad interests, Gray would go on to nourish its growth for the next 30 years.
A growing portfolio
In 1946, The Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science joined the Company – gifted by Bidder. It was later relaunched as Journal of Cell Science (renaming it Cell was discussed but considered too radical). This was followed in 1953 by a third journal – the Journal of Embryology and Experimental Morphology, relaunched in 1987 as Development.
In the new millennium two more journals were created to meet changing needs and the rise of open access – Disease Models & Mechanisms and Biology Open.
Charitable status
In 1952, The Company of Biologists became a UK charity. A key condition is that none of the Directors may receive remuneration for their services.
George Parker Bidder III
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