Prof. Best is an Honorary and Visiting Professor of Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. He is a serial entrepreneur who built 3 biotechnology ventures as founding CEO between 1991 and 2005 - Zeneca Plant Science, Roslin BioMed and Ardana. He is currently Entrpreneur-in-Residence at TVM Capital, Chairman of the Advisory Board of PAR equity and a non-Executive Director of Polytherics Ltd, the International Potato Centre (CIP), Targeted Growth Inc and Entelos Inc. Prof. Best was previously Chairman of Ardana Plc, Neuro3D SA and ICRISAT in Hyderabad, India and a Director of Avesthagen Pvt. Ltd. in Bangalore, India and of Direvo Biotech AG.
Prof. Best was the Chairman of the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) from 2006-2007, the Vice-Chairman of BIO in the US from 1994-96 and a member of the Board and Chair of the Bioethics Committee from 1998 - 2005.
Prof. Best received his Bachelor of Music from the University of York in 1977 and his MBA from London Business School (LBS) in 1985 where he was the fiurst recipient of the Alan PAtricof and Associates (APAX) Venture Capital prize. In 2004, he was awarded an Honorary Ph.D from the University of York for his contributuions to Music, BioTechnology and Medicine. In 2007, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE) and awarded the LBS Alumni Achievement PRize. In 2008, he was awarded an OBE.