Prof. Ashley C. Banyard is the Head of the Influenza and Newcastle Disease workgroup at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), leading a series of teams in a diverse range of activities. He is also the Head of the National Reference Laboratory and the Deputy Director of the WOAH/FAO International Reference Laboratory for Animal Influenza and Newcastle Disease. In addition to overseeing the frontline diagnosis of notifiable avian and mammalian influenza viruses and Newcastle disease, his workgroup is supported by active research programs covering a broad spectrum of research areas. Before joining the influenza team, he managed rabies and lyssavirus research at APHA.