History
The Renal Association was founded in 1950, long before nephrology existed as a recognised clinical specialty and even before the term “nephrology” was coined. Following its merger with the British Renal Society in 2021, it became today’s UK Kidney Association. The Renal Association remains the oldest continuously active nephrology society in the world, predating the International Society of Nephrology (1960), EDTA-ERA (1964) and the American Society of Nephrology (1966).
In its early years, the Renal Association’s primary purpose was to provide a forum for scientific discussion on the structure and function of the kidney in health and disease. As clinical nephrology developed during the 1960s with the introduction of kidney replacement therapy, the association grew steadily. Membership increased from around 250 in 1970 to more than 1,400 by 2020, while its activities expanded to encompass every aspect of modern kidney care.
Throughout its history, the Renal Association has played a pivotal role in advancing kidney care in the UK. It helped drive the development of chronic dialysis services and establish kidney transplantation following the UK’s first transplant in Edinburgh in 1960. More recently, the UK Kidney Association has led improvements in the detection and awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD), including the introduction of eGFR reporting, and supported advances in the detection and management of acute kidney injury (AKI).
Today, the UK Kidney Association supports education, research, training, clinical practice, quality improvement and service development, bringing together the UK’s multi-professional kidney community to improve care and outcomes for people living with kidney disease.
Past Leadership
The UK Kidney Association has been shaped by generations of leaders whose vision and commitment have guided the association since its foundation in 1950. Below is a record of the Presidents, Honorary Secretaries, Treasurers, and Academic and Clinical Vice Presidents who have served the Association.
A Osman (1950–1956)
RA McCance (1956–1959)
FR Winton (1959–1962)
CR Wilson (1962–1965)
DAK Black (1965–1968)
MD Milne (1968–1971)
WS Peart (1971–1974)
HE de Wardener (1974–1977)
J Robson (1977–1980)
DNS Kerr (1980–1983)
MG McGeown (1983–1986)
AW Asscher (1986–1989)
NP Mallick (1989–1992)
JS Cameron (1992–1995)
J Walls (1995–1998)
DG Williams (1998–2001)
AJ Rees (2001–2004)
John Feehally (2004–2007)
Peter Mathieson (2007–2010)
Charles Tomson (2010–2012)
David Wheeler (2012–2014)
Bruce Hendry (2014–2016)
Donal O’Donoghue (2016–2018)
Graham Lipkin (2018–2021)
Sharlene Greenwood (2021-2023)
Paul Cockwell (2021–2024)
Clare Morlidge (2022-2026)
Katie Vinen (2024- present)
Lisa Ancliffe (2026- present)
John Sophian (1950–1953)
Wilfred Payne (1950–1956)
AAG Lewis (1953–1960)
AM Joekes (1956–1961)
Hugh de Wardener (1960–1967)
Oliver Wrong (1961–1966)
John Soothill (1966–1970)
Norman Jones (1967–1971)
William Asscher (1970–1973)
William Cattell (1973–1978)
Frank Goodwin (1978–1982)
D Gwyn Williams (1982–1987)
David Taube (1987–1992)
Christopher Winearls (1992–1996)
Timothy Goodship (1996–2000)
Adrian Woolf (2000–2004)
David Goldsmith (2004–2008)
Lorraine Harper (2008–2012)
Alison Brown (2012–2017)
Indranil Dasgupta (2017–2021)
Alan Salama (2021–2025)
John Feehally (2001-2003)
Donal O’Donoghue (2003-2006)
Stuart Rodger (2006-2010)
Jonathan Fox (2010-2014)
Neil Sheerin (2014-2019)
Claire Sharpe (2019 – 2023)
Tim Bowen (2023 – present)
Caroline Savage (2007 – 2010)
Bruce Hendry (2010 – 2013)
Fiona Karet (2013 – 2016)
Philip Kalra (2016 – 2019)
Neil Sheerin (2019 –2023)
Helen Hurst (2021 – 2023)
John Sayer (2023 – present)
Katherine Parker (2023 – 2026)
Amy Jayne McKnight (2026 – present)
Christopher Winearls (2004 – 2007)
Kevin Harris (2007 – 2010)
Martin Raftery (2010 – 2013)
Graham Lipkin (2013 – 2018)
Paul Cockwell (2018 – 2020)
Katie Vinen (2020 – 2023)
Karen Jenkins (2021 – 2023)
James Burton (2023 – present)
Lisa Ancliffe (2023 – 2026)
Jude Allen (2026 – present)
Historical Publications & Reflections
Explore the history of the Renal Association and the evolution of today’s UK Kidney Association through these publications and historical reflections.
Evolution of Dialysis in the UK 1956 to 2006
At the Renal Association-BRS Conference in Harrogate in 2006, this presentation was made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the introduction of dialysis for acute renal failure (as it was then known) at Leeds General Infirmary. Introduced by Aleck Brownjohn, the speakers were Stewart Cameron and Nick Hoenich, two world authorities on the development of dialysis, especially in the UK. Unfortunately, a recording was not made at the time, but happily, they accepted an invitation to come to Brighton for the 2007 Renal Association Conference, and there they gave their presentations again to camera.
History of the Renal Association 1950-2021
In 2021, a new chapter of history began as the Renal Association, after 71 years, became part of the new UK Kidney Association. The Renal Association archivist, John Feehally, gave his personal reflections on the Association’s achievements during those 71 years.