Following approval by the IMA Council at its November 2025 meeting, the IMA Business, Industry and Government Committee is excited to announce the launch of a new network within the IMA. The IMA Industry Representatives’ Network aims to provide a semi-formal structure for IMA members working in business, industry and government settings to come together, develop their professional networks and skills and represent the IMA in their workplace. The network also provides employers with opportunities to benefit from the best of the mathematics community by making connections that could lead to partnerships and collaboration.
Representatives are welcomed from all sectors employing IMA members, whether you are working in a small, medium or large organisation, or as an independent consultant.
Why you and your employer should get involved
Inspired by the success of our Academic Representatives group, which brings together IMA representatives in academic settings, we envisage that the Industry Representatives’ Network (IRN) will offer new ways for the representatives and their employers to develop deeper links with the IMA and its partners. The Network will facilitate increased opportunities for cross-sector discussions (where appropriate) – given the wide reach of mathematics and its applications in business, industry and government – to share best practice and tackle shared challenges in an open and supportive forum.
There will also be opportunities to build links between the Network and other IMA activities including our Exponential Mentoring scheme, Academic Representatives, Branches and new Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Strong threads from the IRN may lead to the formation of SIGs in other areas too.
Other benefits from becoming an Industry Representative include:
- Meet like-minded individuals from other organisations.
- CPD opportunities through communication and leadership skills which can contribute to competency development for chartership and professional recognition routes.
- Networking – develop your skills and support other mathematicians who may lack access to professional networks.
- Showcase your area of work in IMA publications, the MathsCareers website, Mathematics Matters and the Early Career Mathematicians’ ‘What is a …?’ career sessions to inspire others.
- Recognition from IMA as an ‘Industrial Liaison Specialist’ which can be shared with your employer; eligibility for an IMA Certificate of Service after three years.
- Help the IMA shape its work for members in BIG settings.
Employers will benefit by having a mechanism to contribute employer perspectives into IMA activities, such as accreditation of courses and training, and keeping up to date with the latest developments in mathematics and applications. Furthermore, getting involved will demonstrate employers’ commitment to professional development and recognition pathways for mathematical professionals and data scientists within their organisation.
What is the expectation and time commitment if you join the IRN?
IRN members will be asked to join a dedicated IMA Basecamp group and regularly check in for information sharing, discussion threads and updates. You will be invited to attend an annual in-person networking event and an online catch-up session each January/February, with other networking and CPD opportunities during the year.
While representatives will not have to work for a Corporate Affiliate, you need to be a member of the IMA (at any grade) working in a BIG setting. You should have your employer’s support for your involvement and be keen to promote mathematics and its applications within your organisation and more widely. You will of course, be looking to meet and support like-minded individuals working in other organisations and be enthusiastic about the IMA!
To register your interest, please contact us via email.
Dr Andy Harrison FIMA, VP Business, Industry and Government
Rosalind Azouzi, Executive Director
