Kimberley Finlayson: 1967-2020

Kimberley FinlaysonKimberley Finlayson, one of the co-founders of FMC, has passed away following a short illness.

A driving force behind the scenes of the company, Kimberley’s career was defined by a commitment to excellence that helped make FMC the UK’s biggest independent dental publisher.

She approached the world with an infectious passion, creativity and determination that will forever be written into the fabric of the business. She leaves behind an organisation committed to honouring her memory.

Passion and innovation

Kimberley’s career in dental publishing lasted more than 30 years, but the greatest highs undoubtedly came after establishing FMC with her husband, Ken, and Jason Newington. Indeed, following that moment, her career was studded with so many highlights that it is difficult to single out just one.

A rash of awards for Dentistry magazine came throughout the 2000s as the magazine asserted its dominance over the UK dental sector. It wasn’t limited to one title: Kimberley’s ability to inspire her entire team helped FMC earn finalist status as Publishing Company of the Year on numerous occasions during the same period.

But as the years went on and the landscape of dental media changed, Kimberley proved herself a flexible innovator too.

Her oversight of FMC’s 20th anniversary issue of Dentistry in 2015 created one of the most remarkable editions ever to grace UK dental practices.

In the years that followed, she turned her passion to the live events space, spearheading the ambitious Stars of Dentistry – an unashamedly ‘premium’ event when common belief held that it couldn’t be done. Stars of Dentistry was Kimberley’s attention to detail on a grand stage, surprising nobody when it went on to win a national award for ‘Event of the Year’ at the Independent Publishing Awards.

Yet, ever willing to adapt, she moved FMC into the free-to-attend exhibition space as soon as it became clear that she could reach – and delight – more people this way.

Her exacting standards set the stage for the company’s most successful event ever: the London Dentistry Show paired the grandeur of Kimberley’s vision with an accessible, down-to-earth reality in September of 2019.

Through it, she was able to realise her aim of bringing the dental industry closer to the profession it serves. It brought Kimberley immense pleasure to know that she was enriching the businesses and personal lives of the many friendships she made on her journey.

Fierce pride

But for all her many successes, Kimberley preferred to step outside of the limelight, allowing others to take the lead as the public face of her carefully-planned successes.

She could often be found at FMC’s events and awards, watching proceedings from a quiet vantage point with a look of delight – but stepping in to the front lines when required.

Woe betide anyone whose dedication slipped below Kimberley’s exacting standards. She demanded much from her people, yet gave back so much more. Her generosity outmatched even her determination to excel.

She championed her family with the same fierce pride with which she approached her business, and her four children were the centre of her world.

Those fortunate enough to know her will remember a whirlwind of energy and ideas – and an ability to make things happen that few can match.

Kimberley leaves behind a legacy that will live on for decades to come.

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