Pete Willan, DMS, IAT, RAnTech was a deeply respected leader in the biomedical research community, contributing more than 50 years of expertise to the management of in vivo scientific research establishments and animal welfare programs in the UK. As Division Manager for the Division of Biomedical Services at the University of Leicester, Pete oversaw facility operations ranging from strategic management and logistics to training, ergonomic assessment, biocontainment design, and biosecurity protocols—all while championing the highest possible standards of animal care.

A registered Animal Technologist and long‑standing member of key professional bodies, Pete combined technical mastery with a rare commitment to the emotional and ethical dimensions of animal research. His influential 2001 research project, Working with Animals in a Scientific Environment: Is There an Emotional Conflict?, was one of the first large‑scale examinations of the emotional realities faced by animal care technicians, revealing the profound tension between pride in their work and the pressures of public perception, security fears, administrative burden, and the emotional toll of euthanasia.

Pete was also a passionate innovator in the area of refinement, inventing enrichment tools such as nest packs and the seesaw that improved research animal welfare and staff well‑being—contributions widely recognized as essential advancements in humane research practice. His leadership helped embed the principles of the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, refinement) into institutional culture long before they became industry norms.

Known for his kindness, integrity, and tireless advocacy for both animals and the people who care for them, Pete Willan leaves behind a legacy that continues to shape the standards and spirit of biomedical research today.