Professor Frederic Houssiau: Professor of Rheumatology, Catholic Hospital, Brussels. International authority on the treatment of lupus. Expert on anti-B cell treatments.

Dr David Close: Physician, Roche Products Ltd. Expert on anti-B cell treatments.

Dr Munther Khamashta: Consultant Physician, Lupus Unit, St Thomas’ Hospital. Expert on lupus and Hughes Syndrome, and a world authority on lupus in pregnancy.

Professor Paul Emery: Professor of Rheumatology and Head of Academic Unit of Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds. International authority on treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Professor Athol Wells: Professor of Respiratory Medicine, The Brompton Hospital. International authority on chest diseases including pulmonary hypertension.

Professor Antony Rosen: Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA. International authority on autoantibodies (especially in myositis and overlap conditions).

Dr David Jayne: Consultant Nephrologist, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. International authority on vasculitis.

Professor David Silk: Consultant Gastroenterologist, Princess Grace, London. Authority on the bowel in autoimmune conditions.

Dr Rachel Davies: Consultant Rheumatologist, Lupus Unit, St Thomas’ Hospital. Present new data on accelerated atheroma.

Professor Tim Vyse: Consultant Immunology, Hammersmith Hospital. International authority on genetics in rheumatic diseases.

Dr David D’Cruz: Consultant Rheumatologist, Lupus Unit, St Thomas’ Hospital. International authority on lupus and vasculitis.

Dr Giovanni Sanna: Consultant Physician, Lupus Unit, St Thomas’ Hospital. Conducted major research in CNS lupus.

Dr Edward Coats: Guest Speaker (non-medical talk). Inspirational talk on his race to the South Pole with Ben Fogle and James Cracknell.

Dr Maria Cuadrado: Consultant Physician, Lupus Unit, St Thomas’ Hospital. Present new data on clotting mechanisms in APS.

Dr Laura Bertolaccini PhD: Lupus Research, The Rayne Institute, St Thomas’ Hospital. Update on assays for anti-B2, anti-prothrombin and other antibodies.

Ms Steve Binder: Bio-rad Laboratories Inc. California. International authority on laboratory testing of antinuclear antibodies.

Dr Shirish Sangle: Associate Consultant, Lupus Unit, St Thomas’ Hospital. Original research on antiphospholipid syndrome, vasculitis and pregnancy.

Dr Claudia Fofi: Consultant Nephrologist, Rome. International authority on histopathology of nephritis.

Dr Richard Keen: Consultant Rheumatologist, Northwick Park Hospital. International authority on osteoporosis.

Professor Andy Cope: Professor of Rheumatology, Guy’s Hospital, London. International authority on early treatment of RA.

Dr Richard Horton: Editor, Lancet