It has been a pleasure reading the many memories of Wimpole Street over recent issues of the journal. The recollections and photographs have brought to life the important role the building has played for the Association and the profession.

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My own memories are relatively modest. For half my time working for the BDA, it was that vibrant place of work and often a hub of activity for members, usually those carrying out our crucial representation functions. But in more recent years, it has been different. The pandemic of course changed so many things, including the way many organisations work. For an extended period, we were unable to access the building. I'm proud of the way the Association was able to support members during that difficult time, and it demonstrated what mattered most to so many – the support and services we provide, rather than the locations we provide them from.

Coming out of the pandemic, Wimpole Street hasn't represented quite the same focal point for what we do for members. The Association continues to work well as a hybrid organisation and our office footprint is much reduced. We cannot justify spending members' money on a building that is beyond what we need.

Whilst we will miss Wimpole Street and its connections to our work, it is also right that we look forward, focusing on what we can do for members wherever they live and work.

In 2026, we will strive to develop our offer across representation, advice, indemnity and learning. Important NHS reform processes, driven by the BDA, continue across the UK, but our representation as ever won't be just about the NHS, particularly if as anticipated, the Competitions and Markets Authority investigate the private dental market. We will continue to improve access to high quality advice for members whatever their branch of practice or membership tier. We will be working to develop our market-leading occurrence-based indemnity product and provide more learning opportunities, whether through in-person events locally and nationally, or online via our CPD on-demand programme. We will continue to grow our affiliate membership programme aimed at overseas-qualified dentists.

We will look back with great fondness and memories for what 64 Wimpole Street has represented, but forward to continuing to be the Association the profession needs.