Nicky Simpson joined Astellas Pharma Europe in 2005 to establish the Congress Department responsible for execution of regional EMEA led congress activities across all Astellas key therapy areas. Since then, she has further expanded the department’s remit to include all event types, work cross-functionally to integrate a multichannel approach to event delivery and lead a global team responsible for driving continuous improvement, innovating and advancing congress and event experience. Prior to joining Astellas Nicky started out her career in medical communications implementing domestic, European and global medical education programmes for the pharmaceutical industry. She holds a BSc in Biochemistry and Genetics.

Nicky has been on the IPCAA Council since 2008 and was part of the Annual Meeting project group for several years before taking up the position as Co-President in 2019 and becoming Past President in 2025.