Council

Tim Lane is a Consultant Urologist and Robotic surgeon and has spent the last 20 years as a full-time NHS Consultant at the regional urological cancer centre in Hertfordshire. His clinical work centres predominantly in the field of pelvic oncology. He has been a former Chair of the Court of Examiners and Editor-in-Chief of the Annals of the RCS England and of Urology News. He is currently Editor-in-Chief of Surgery International. His research interests focus on the role of chromosomal translocations and fusion genes in urological cancers for which he has been awarded the BARD Medal from the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) and the C.E Alken Prize. He has authored numerous book chapters and academic papers. He has taken a keen interest in surgical training and has held a wide range of educational roles including Clinical Tutor, Unit Training Director, Foundation Programme Director and Curriculum Lead for Urology Specialist Advisory Committee (SAC). Outside of work he is a keen ornithologist and naturalist and is a member of the RSPB and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).

Professor Frank Smith is Emeritus Professor of Vascular Surgery and Surgical Education at the University of Bristol. He trained in vascular surgery in the West Midlands, Edinburgh and the South-West, undertaking travelling fellowships to Boston, Denver, Los Angeles and Seattle. He was elected to Council for a second term and to the role of Vice President and Trustee in 2024. Frank was recipient of an RCS England research pump-priming grant and College Tutor for Basic Surgical Skills before becoming South-West Regional Specialty Advisor for General and Vascular Surgery (2008–13). He has been a Council member of the Vascular Society, ASGBI, and Honorary Secretary and Scientific Programme Director for the SRS. He sat on both General and Vascular SACs (2010–18), where he was liaison member for Northern Ireland. He was Lead for National Vascular Trainee Selection (2015–18), and President of the Section of Surgery at the Royal Society of Medicine (2012–13). He chaired the South-West (Severn and Peninsular) Regional Surgical Training Committee (2014–18). From 2008–23, he was Programme Director for the Confidential Reporting System for Surgery (CORESS). Interests in surgical safety have since included roles with NCEPOD; NHS England Never Events Task Force; developing the National Safety Standards for Invasive Procedures (NatSSIPs); as member of the NICE Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee, and as editorial advisor to RCS England Safety Bulletins. He was Chair of ICBSE (2017–20), is an Assessor for the Intercollegiate MRCS on behalf of the four royal colleges of surgeons, JCIE Examiner for the FRCS (Vasc), and Examiner/Assessor for the UEMS FEBVS examination. In 2025, he was appointed by the Minister of Health to the role of Non-Executive Director of the National Institute of Health & Care Excellence (NICE). Frank currently chairs the Learning & Assessment and the Workforce & Training Standing Committees of the College, the Regional Committee and the Invited Review Mechanism. He was previously Chair of the Dental & Surgical Examinations Committee. Interests away from surgery include his family and triathlon. He has over 1,200 hours as a fixed wing, seaplane and helicopter private pilot, and has represented GB in competitive skydiving in which he has around 1,800 freefall jumps.

Professor Pete Sagar qualified from Leeds Medical School with Honours, after initially gaining a First-Class Honours degree in Pathology. He trained in Leeds completing an MD in IBD surgery, for which he won the Patey Prize at the Surgical Research Society, Liverpool and the Mayo Clinic where he was Chief Resident before joining the staff at St James’s University Hospital, Leeds where he has enthusiastically developed laparoscopic surgery as well as a tertiary practice in advanced/recurrent colorectal cancer. He has previously been Hon. Secretary of ACPGBI, Director of Emergency Surgery ASGBI, Regional Director for The Royal College of Surgeons of England and on the specialist advisory committee for general surgery. He was President of the ACPGBI and the Specialist Society (ASGBI) council member at The Royal College of Surgeons. He is a consultant surgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospitals and Professor of Colorectal Surgery at The University of Leeds and has published over 200 papers and 30 book chapters. He was elected to College Council in 2023.

Nuha is a consultant colorectal and general surgeon based in Birmingham, specialising in minimally invasive and robotic surgery. She has trained around the UK and completed three international fellowships. She is dedicated to advancing surgical education, trainer development, and innovation in colorectal cancer and IBD care, with a focus on leadership and excellence in patient outcomes. She believes in the power of representation and am committed to promoting inclusivity and professional standards, widening opportunities, and championing talent. Nuha wants to ensure the College remains relevant and responsive to its members. When not in theatre, you’ll find her exploring, hiking, getting lost in nature, mentoring future surgeons, or enjoying time with family and friends.

Martyn is Professor of Orthodontics at King’s College London and consultant orthodontist at Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Trust. He leads one of Europe’s largest postgraduate orthodontic training programmes, and his research is focused on craniofacial biology and orthodontic clinical treatment outcomes. He has represented his specialty as an elected member of the Faculty of Dental Surgery for 8 years and as Dean of the Faculty, his work will focus on advancing clinical dentistry in the UK by promoting excellence in all aspects of clinical care. Outside of dentistry, he enjoys listening to music, watching cricket, pottering around in the garden, and walking the family Labrador.

Keith is a consultant plastic surgeon based in North Yorkshire, having held a substantive post in Middlesbrough from April 2005 to May 2024. His surgical practice was in microsurgery, trauma and burns, breast reconstruction, and skin oncology. Since retiring, Keith works independently, looking after skin, soft tissue lesions, and skin oncology as an NHS option. He has been an RCS Council member as the plastic surgery representative for BAPRAS since 2023. He has also been a consultant post assessor and independent review mechanism panel member when required. Keith is an examiner for MRCS and mentor.

Rachel is a consultant vascular surgeon at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, specialising in open aortic surgery and management of infected aortic grafts. Her focus is on innovative improvements to healthcare systems, staff wellbeing, and compassionate leadership. She would like to help advance innovation in the delivery of surgical care nationally and find a sustainable solution for training posts for resident doctors. Outside of surgery, Rachel loves reading, singing, and spending time with friends and family.

Ginny Bowbrick is a Consultant Vascular Surgeon at the East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust. She undertook her undergraduate training at Bart's, qualifying in 1989, and trained in General and Vascular Surgery in the Southeast and London prior to being appointed as a Consultant in 2005. She has been involved in Medical Education from the start of her consultant career when she joined the SE Thames General Surgery Specialty Training Committee of which she later became the Training Programme Director. As a Liaison Member of the Vascular Surgery Specialty Advisory Committee (SAC), she was the ST3 National Selection Lead in 2021 and was instrumental in separating the Vascular from General Surgery ST3 recruitment processes prior to becoming Chair of the Vascular Surgery SAC later that year. She also became the Head of School of Surgery for Kent, Surrey and Sussex in 2021 and continues in this role to date. She was a Clinical Advisor to the Medical Workforce Alignment Programme, NHSE WTE in 2022-2024 followed by secondment as a Specialist Advisor to the Education Reform Programme, NHSE WTE in 2024-2025. She has been an MRCS examiner since 2016. Diversity and inclusivity are extremely important to her and she was the first Chair until 2025 of the RCS England Pride in Surgery Forum (PRiSM) for LGBTQ+ surgeons and allies of which she was a founding member in 2021. She is the mother of four children, two of whom are autistic with severe learning disabilities and has been involved in regional and national projects promoting recognition and help for Neurodiverse trainees and better understanding of Autism and Learning Disabilities in patients. She was elected to Council in 2023 and to the Board of Trustees in 2025. She is the Co-Chair of the Sustainability in Surgery and Deputy Co-Chair of the Workforce and Training committees at RCS England.

Peter is a consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon and Honorary Professor of Surgery, with a personal chair for education & research activity based in Portsmouth. He is the editor of 12 textbooks, including Gray's Surgical Anatomy, and over 900 publications. He is known internationally for his work on human factors (HF) and patient safety, having been awarded a PhD on the topic in 2019. He has spent his consultant career promoting and championing training, surgical education, team working, equality and diversity, differential attainment, and human factors to improve patient safety. He plans to continue to lead and drive work in these important areas. Outside of surgery, Peter enjoys walking, gardening, fencing (foil and sabre), flying, and trying to improve his French.

Gwen is a consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, with clinical and research interests in complex oncoplastic procedures and breast reconstruction. Since graduating from Warwick Medical School, she has undertaken a number of postgraduate qualifications, with a particular focus on healthcare policy and health economics. She began her training in Yorkshire, completing a research fellowship with the Yorkshire Cancer Network, before moving to the North East for higher surgical training, where she continues to practice. With over 17 years of clinical experience, Gwen is passionate about advancing surgical training and professional development to improve patient care. She has published widely in her field and is a strong advocate for global access to oncoplastic breast surgery, having presented extensively at international level. Gwen leads the RCS England-accredited Fellowship in Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery in her unit and is a member of the Specialist Training Committee and School of Surgery Board. As former RCS England Regional Director for the North East, she worked to enhance engagement and champion the College’s mission. Her role as a Specialty Advisor for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) provides additional insight into the challenges of service delivery and reinforces her commitment to patient safety. She is dedicated to representing the diverse interests of the surgical community, with a particular focus on training, workforce sustainability, and healthcare policy. Her election to Council in 2025, after fewer than four years in consultant practice, reflects both her strong leadership and her commitment to shaping the future of surgery early in her consultant career.

Andy Carr is the Nuffield Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and a fellow of Worcester College at the University of Oxford. He is a graduate of the University of Bristol and undertook postgraduate training in Oxford, Seattle and Melbourne, obtaining his Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, a ChM from Bristol and a DSc from Oxford. His research has had a significant influence on the management and outcomes of patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery and he is one of the 25 most cited surgical researchers globally. He has pioneered the development and evaluation of surgical implants and technologies, including the Oxford partial knee replacement, that has been implanted in over 2 million patients worldwide and the Oxford patient reported outcome scores, that have been translated into over 30 languages and are used to direct Health Policy globally. His research into rotator cuff tears of the shoulder spans discovery of cellular disease mechanisms through translation into new treatments and multicentre randomised clinical trials. He has led the controversial use of placebo surgery controls in clinical trials which has resulted in the decommissioning of ineffective shoulder operations with reduction in risk to patients and significant cost savings to health economies globally. His team has patented novel electrospun surgical implants which improve soft tissue repair. He founded the Botnar Research Institute at the University of Oxford in 2002 which undertakes translational research across the medical, social and engineering sciences and was director of the NIHR Biomedical Research unit from 2008-17. He was a Non-Executive Director and then Divisional Director of the specialist Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust and is a past President of the British Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Society He is currently a Nuffield Medical Trustee and Chair of the Nuffield Oxford Hospitals Fund, an elected Council member and Trustee of the Royal College of Surgeons and Deputy Chair of the Board of Trustees of Bristol University. He has an honorary Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Copenhagen, an NIHR senior investigator award and a fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences. In 2025 he was awarded an MBE for services to Orthopaedic Research and Training.

Biography coming soon.

Paula is a consultant ENT surgeon in London with a specialist interest in paediatric ENT, having completed her fellowship at the globally renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and surgical training in the East of England and London deaneries. While on Council, she plans to continue focusing on the Emerging Leader (2024) project: ‘Let’s get talking: fertility, infertility and pregnancy loss in surgery.’ She will advocate for firmer pressure on addressing paediatric waiting lists while maintaining training. Outside of surgery, she enjoys spending time with her two young children and husband, particularly swimming, arts and crafts projects, and cooking.

Mark qualified in 1981 from the University of Leeds, and is now Chair in Paediatric Surgery at Kings College, University of London, and a consultant paediatric surgeon at Kings College Hospital. He is also editor for the Journal of Paediatric Surgery, and was President of the BAPS from 2016–2018. While on Council, he hopes to represent the specialty of paediatric surgery, both specialised and the general surgery of childhood. Outside of surgery, he enjoys cycling and music, both ancient and modern.

Alun Davies is Professor of Vascular Surgery at Imperial College London/NIHR Senior Investigator. He trained as a general surgeon at Cambridge, Oxford, Bristol, and Harvard. He is a fellow of the Learned Society of Wales and a fellow of the Academy of Medical Science. He is interested in optimising accessibility, flexibility, and affordability of training, as well as ensuring the “surgical brand” is a central pillar of policy. In terms of research and innovation, he wishes to increase engagement, incorporating this into daily practise. Outside of work, he enjoys skiing, cooking, and spending time with family.

Deborah has trained in Birmingham, Bristol, Melbourne, and Toronto, and started consultant life as a general orthopod. Over time, she became a specialist in paediatric orthopaedics and now works at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and Great Ormond St Hospital. Deborah feels an increasing responsibility to give back to the profession that has given her so much, hence her role as workforce lead on the WTCommittee. She would also like to see the College embracing sustainability in all its diverse formats. Outside of work, she is a lover of London life.

Nicola was elected to RCS Council in 2022 and is Council Lead for Emerging Leaders Programme. She represents RCS on NELA and is Deputy Chair of the Research Committee. Past President of ACPGBI. Clinical Lead for National Bowel Cancer Audit and RCS National QI Collaborative Close It Quick. Chief External Examiner in Surgery at Oxford University. Trustee of BJS Foundation and Bowel Research UK. Consultant Colorectal Surgeon in Cambridge since 2006. Studied medicine at Pembroke College Cambridge and Merton College Oxford as Rhodes Scholar. Surgical training in Bristol, Oxford and Cleveland, Ohio. Clinical interests include exenteration surgery, TEMS, anal cancer, perianal Crohn's disease, and quality of life. Nicola has invested in training the next generation of surgeons and mentoring many surgeons both in UK and abroad. Academic publications include ~175 peer-reviewed publications, alongside invited editorials and book chapters. Active clinical research portfolio with strong focus on patient involvement, receiving Patient Champion Award in 2017. Led national programmes IMPACT (Improving Management of Patients with Advanced Colorectal Tumours) and ENiGMA focusing on patients with fistulating perianal Crohn’s disease, and an international consensus on LARS. She holds Honorary Fellowships from American College of Surgeons, ASCRS and American Surgical Association, and Honorary Membership CSSANZ.

Francisca Ferreira is an academic run-through Neurosurgery trainee with expertise in connectomic surgery, computational anatomy and disease phenomics, and AI. She has completed her PhD in Functional Neurosurgery at UCL/Queen Square and is an incoming NIHR Clinical Lecturer at Cambridge. She is a proud part of the RCS England Emerging Leaders programme and recognises the systemic roadblocks in the career. She believes it is urgent to modernise surgical training pathways to better utilise the diversity of our workforce, which she believes truly constitutes a strength in serving our patients. Having been elected to the Royal College of Surgeons of England Council she aims to protect and advocate for recruitment of female and minority surgeons. She aims to work with RCS England to ensure fair training opportunities for all and towards the democratisation of research opportunities. She is passionate about teaching and mentoring juniors and medical students. She will vouch for the establishment of formal pathways of mentorship and will work to address the factors contribution to attrition in all surgical grades. Other interests include playing the piano, creative writing, art and travelling.

Having trained in London, Toronto, and Johannesburg, Rachel now works as a colorectal and general surgeon in clinical practice in Cardiff. She specialises in intestinal failure, familial colorectal syndromes, anal cancer, and anal intraepithelial neoplasia. She is particularly interested in teaching and training, having supervised over 20 MD/PhD students, and is a past winner of the Silver Scalpel award and Faculty of Surgical Trainers (FST) medal. She has served on Council since 2020, and am Chair of the Learning Committee, overseeing development and delivery of College courses for surgeons of all levels. She is also Co-director of the Global Surgery Policy Unit and WHO Collaborating Centre, as well as a member of the Finance and Investment Committee.

Mohamed is a dual fellowship-trained consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon with subspecialty expertise in MIS foot & ankle and diabetic foot surgery, based in Blackburn. His interests include surgical education, curriculum development, orthopaedic research, and postgraduate training in the UK and internationally. He is committed to strengthening engagement between the College and its members, supporting modernisation of membership structures, and advancing trainee representation and independent educational initiatives. He is interested in digital learning platforms, SAS surgeons, mentorship, leadership development, and international educational collaboration.

Mr Hellier is a consultant ENT surgeon at University Hospitals Southampton and The Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester, and also Consultant Otologist to the Southampton Auditory Implant Centre. He is an honorary senior lecturer at the University of Southampton. His ENT surgical training was in London, and he spent fellowship periods further training in adult and children’s ENT in Australia, America and France. He is currently Treasurer and a trustee of ENTUK and sits on the ENTUK Executive Council. He is an examiner for the Intercollegiate Examination in Otolaryngology, and he sits on the Intercollegiate Otolaryngology Examination Board. He has sat on the Council of the British Association of Paediatric Otolaryngology for over 10 years, and was Treasurer for 3 years. He is the NHS England ENT Lead for the South East England Region, and ENT Lead for the Hampshire and Isle Of Wight ICB. He regularly teaches on national courses and has written an ENT textbook and also a number of chapters on paediatric and adult ear disorders in the Major ENT Textbooks.

Sarah Howells FDSRCS

Sarah Howells qualified from UCH in 1982 and gained her FDS in 1999. She additionally gained a DDPH and an MSc in Dental Public Health. She has worked in the Head and Neck Unit Royal Marsden Hospital for over 20 years as an Associate Specialist. During this time, she has also worked in primary, secondary and community care with her practice limited to oral surgery. She has been involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching at the Eastman Dental Institute and King’s College London. She is keen to provide appropriate care to oncology patients within the Head and Neck Unit and other units at the Royal Marsden Hospital. She is involved in the provision of oral surgery services at Charing Cross Hospital.

Ian Kamaly-Asl is a full time paediatric neurosurgeon based at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. His neurosurgical training was in the North Western Deanery followed by fellowships at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School and The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. He was appointed to his current post in 2005. He holds an honorary chair from The University of Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre. Ian is the neurosurgical lead for the paediatric neuro-oncology and paediatric neurovascular services and receives national and international patient referrals for these conditions. For his leadership roles, Ian is an elected member of the Society of British Neurological Surgeons Council, is the national lead for tackling bullying, undermining and harassment and has introduced the neurosurgery national mentoring scheme. He is a past chair of the British Paediatric Neurosurgical Group and member of the NHS England Paediatric Neurosciences Clinical Reference Group. Ian has undertaken various national roles in surgical education including member of the Neurosurgery Specialist Advisory Committee and national lead for simulation in neurosurgery, introducing the neurosurgery national ST1 boot camp. He was previously secretary to the Neurosurgical National Selection Board and training programme director of the North Western Deanery. Ian has an active programme of clinical and basic science research. He is the principal investigator for several national/international studies and has extensively published in peer reviewed journals, book chapters and national guidelines.

Dorothy Kufeji is a consultant neonatal and paediatric surgeon at Guys & St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust, Evelina London Children’s Hospital. She is passionate about surgical safety and ensuring equity in healthcare delivery. She is a strong advocate for trainees, ensuring that they work in a safe and supportive environment. She has a strong background in medical leadership as well as undergraduate and postgraduate surgical education. She has been Training and Education lead for paediatric surgery, Royal College surgical tutor, chair of the STC in Paediatric Surgery, Training programme director and served on the board of the London postgraduate school of surgery. She was also a member of the specialty advisory committee (SAC) in paediatric surgery serving as Liaison Member for Yorkshire and Humber as well as National Lead for less than full time training. She currently sits on the Intercollegiate Board of paediatric surgery as member of JCIE, on the Board of KHP Academic Surgery and is The Trust Guardian of Safe Working for GSTT. She is EMCC accredited Coach and Mentor where she works with the GSTT network of Coaching and Mentoring, NHS Leadership Academy and RCSEng Emerging Leaders Programme. She served two terms as Regional Director of the Royal College of Surgeons providing practical support to members and fellows during a particularly challenging period. She was particularly effective in working to widen access to surgical careers and working collaboratively to deliver the College response to the Kennedy report.

Ian is a Professor of Vascular Surgery at St George’s, London. He is a past President of the European Society of Vascular Surgery, the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland, and the British Society for Endovascular Therapy. His major area of interest is surgical research and audit. He has extensive experience in academic surgery, research, peer review, governance, and leadership. As Chair of the Research Committee, he champions the cause of surgical research, and supports and develops the College’s research portfolio. Out of surgery, he loves his bike nearly as much as his skis, and relishes the fact his daughter is now faster than him on both.

With over 20 years of experience as a consultant surgeon in Essex and Medical Director for Surgery at Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust, I have held roles as an MBBS and MRCS Examiner, Court Chair, RCS Human Factors Tutor, WIST Council member, ASiT President, and as elected Council member since 2023 have oversight of professional standards for exams. I am able to lead the profession through unprecedented challenges including backlog, workforce, and financial pressures; promote surgical careers, teaching and training, and advance patient care, research, and innovation globally; and support multidisciplinary team collaboration, diversity, and technology. I studied medicine at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, and The London Hospital, completing my Registrar training with a Masters in Surgery at the Royal Free Hospital. I was a lecturer in surgery at UCL/Royal Free before being appointed as a consultant in Basildon in 2001. As ASiT President I have represented trainees on RCS Council, participated in exam committees, and supported the Silver Scalpel award for excellence in surgical training. I was Human Factors Tutor at RCS England and remain an ATLS Course Director. I was elected Chair of the Court of Examiners in 2020 and now chair the Dental and Surgical Exams Committee. I attend the Court Executive, Finance and Investment Group, Ad Eundem Group and Global Policy Subcommittee. I am the MRCS Convenor for the Intercollegiate MRCS exam in Sri Lanka. I am dedicated to promoting surgical careers across diverse backgrounds, enhancing patient care, teaching, training, research, and innovation.

Charles Maxwell-Armstrong graduated from Bristol University in 1991 and has been a Consultant General and Colorectal surgeon at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust since 2002 and Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham since 2011. As an NHS Consultant he has maintained an active research interest publishing over 130 papers and supervising two PhD’s, two DM’s, three Masters and 18 BMedSci degrees. He has been involved in a number of national trials as CI and PI. Between 2008 and 2013 he was Director of Clinical Practice, running year 3 of the medical course at Nottingham. His main area of clinical interest has been the development of laparoscopic colorectal surgery nationally (Lapco) and internationally, specifically in Ukraine. He has undertaken a number of national roles. He was a member and chair of the Multidisciplinary Committee of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI) between 2011 and 2017. From 2016-18 he was Honorary Assistant Secretary for ACPGBI and Executive lead for the Clinical Outcome Publication (COP). He was a member of the IBD and NBOCA (National Bowel Cancer Audit) Clinical Advisory Groups and represented the Midlands/East on the Specialised Colorectal Commissioning Clinical Reference Group. He was a member of the ACPGBI Clinical Governance Board, and previously on the EDI Task force and an ex officio member of the Early Years Consultant Network committee. He was Honorary Secretary of ACPGBI from 2018-2020, and was President in 2022-2023. He is one of the two RCS England tutors for Nottingham University Hospitals, and is also seconded part time to NHS E/I as colorectal lead for the National Consultant Information Programme (NCIP). In his limited spare time, he rides his road bike slowly, skis increasingly cautiously, and plays tennis badly. He is married with one daughter.

Mr Ram Moorthy was educated at Dulwich College and qualified from United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals, London. Following house jobs, he undertook basic surgical training at Poole Hospital and Charing Cross Hospital. He started higher surgical training in ENT in West Midland before transferring to complete his training in South East Thames, including posts at Great Ormond St Hospital and Guy’s Hospital. He undertook a National Interface fellowship in Head and Neck Surgical Oncology at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. He was appointed a consultant ENT/head and neck surgeon at Wexham Park Hospital, now part of Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, in 2011. He has a special interest in benign head and neck surgery including thyroid and parathyroid surgery. He led the team that undertook the UK’s first scarless (transoral endoscopic vestibular approach) thyroid and parathyroid procedures in 2022/23. He has developed an innovative service integrating community and secondary care. He has an interest in medical education and is a current member of SAC in ENT and ENT content expert for Brunel Medical School. Previous roles include ENT Training Programme Director for Thames Valley, Associate Foundation School Director, Oxford Foundation School and Foundation Training Programme Director, Wexham Park Hospital. He holds several representative roles including the BMA UK consultants committee, where he is a member of the contract negotiating team and surgical specialties lead. He is a member of ENT UK council and executive committee member for British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons.

Rana Sayeed is a Consultant Cardiac Surgeon at the Oxford Heart Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. He read Medical Sciences at Caius College, Cambridge, before completing his clinical training at Oriel College, Oxford. He completed his specialist training in cardiothoracic surgery at Papworth Hospital, Cambridge and the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital before a Fellowship in General Thoracic Surgery & Lung Transplantation at the University of Toronto. At Oxford, he has been the Clinical Lead for Cardiac Surgery and is the Head of Programme for Complex Mitral Valve Surgery with specialist expertise in mitral and tricuspid valve surgery. He completed his basic science research training as a Medical Research Council Clinical Training Fellow at the University of Cambridge, studying changes in gene expression in heart failure for his PhD. He has been Honorary Secretary of the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery in Great Britain & Ireland, the (founding) Thames Valley Training Programme Director and member of the Specialty Advisory Committee, and Chair of the Intercollegiate Specialty (examination) Board in Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Naeem Soomro studied medicine at King Edward Medical College Lahore, Pakistan, before undertaking basic training in surgery and urology in the UK at London, Nottingham and Newcastle. He was appointed as Consultant Urologist at Freeman Hospital Newcastle in 1998. His subspeciality interests are in kidney and prostate cancer. He has held a chair in urology from Newcastle University since 2012. He has been a national leader in the wider adoption of robotic assisted surgery across the UK. He was appointed RCS co director in robotic and digital surgery. He is a member of RCS quality assurance and governance committee. He holds a number of research grants from NIHR and EPSRC as a chief investigator. Naeem has previously served as an examiner and a board member for joint committee on intercollegiate examinations (JCIE) in urology. He has also served as a board member and a chair for joint surgical colleges fellowship examination (JSCFE) in urology. He has been on the council of the BAUS and the RCSE regional speciality professional advisor. He is a member of National Clinical Impact Awards committee. He has been Associate Medical Director for Newcastle Hospitals Foundation Trust. He has been actively involved The Urology Foundation in training surgeons delivering robotics and minimally invasive surgery courses nationally and in Europe.

He is an Orthopaedic Surgeon from South Wales and having graduated from Cardiff and trained in Wales, he considers himself an honorary Welshman. He is passionate about improving the quality of training and education and promoting leadership within the profession. He designed and directs the Future Leaders Programme for the BOA in partnership with Lisa Hadfield-Law. He has sat on BOA Council as Chair of Education and Honorary Secretary for over 10 years and he is privileged to serve as BOA President in 2027/28. He has led on the educational activities of the British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society for most of his career and he will be taking on the role of President in 2025/26.

Miss Samantha Tross is a Consultant Orthopaedic Hip and Knee Surgeon, practicing in London. When she was appointed in 2005, she became the first black female in the UK to do so, and she was the first woman in Europe to perform mako robotic hip surgery. She is a past member of the Diversity Review Panel and EDI Forum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and is the current Secretary of the International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance (IODA). She is a Founder Member and ex Trustee of the British Association of Black Surgeons (BABS) and External Examiner for the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. Miss Tross is a former Editor of the Journal of Medical Case Reports and was an Associate Professor of Orthopaedics for the American University of the Caribbean from 2011- 2025, when the association between her NHS Trust and the University ended. She is past Lead of Ealing Hospital Orthopaedic Department as well as Member of the Cultural and Diversity Committee of the British Hip Society. Miss Tross has been a tireless advocate for widening participation in medicine and surgery and increasing equity in surgical practice for which she has won numerous Awards (Black British Business Award for her work in STEM in 2016, a Zenith Healthcare Pioneer Award and Wintrade Award in 2019, Caribbean Global Health Award in 2023 as well as inclusion in MiPAD (most influential people of African descent) class 2023 Global Top 100. Miss Tross is also included in the Black Powerlist of 100 most influential Black Britons. She has a Masters in Strategic Leadership and an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from the University of Portsmouth.

Clara is a Trauma and Orthopaedic ST8, based in Liverpool, with an interest in Limb Reconstruction Surgery, Complex Trauma and Global Orthopaedics. She has a wealth of experience in the field of expedition medicine having covered expeditions across the world as well as participating in numerous of her own. Clara has lived and worked in LMIC’s and champions trainees taking the opportunity to spend time out of training to explore both medical and non-medical related interests. Clara is passionate about driving inclusive and impactful training environments and strives to champion key issues in the training of surgeons. Her priorities include, the development of work and research links with low and middle income countries. The promotion and development of ‘Time out of training’ and in-post sabbatical pathways for both medical and non-medical exploits. Encouraging personal and professional development and improving the retention and well being of surgeons. Promoting inclusivity and diversity within our surgical specialties.

Bhavin Visavadia is a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon with a specialist interest in head and neck cancer and facial reconstruction. He is based at Northwick Park Regional Maxillofacial Unit in Harrow, a surgical centre he developed with excellent colleagues. He has built a great reputation for speciality training and education and has overseen the expansion of the Regional OMFS Network in London. He has been a senior medical leader in his trust as Clinical Director and Assistant Divisional Director. Bhavin trained at King’s College London in dentistry and medicine and holds both FDS and FRCS. His specialty OMFS training was at King’s College, Royal Surrey County Guildford, and Queen Victoria Hospital East Grinstead. He was an assistant TPD at The Deanery and subsequently served on the SAC for OMFS. He has supported higher surgical trainees, trainers, and programme directors with his active engagement. Bhavin is also a coach and mentor and has continued to help clinical colleagues at all stages of their career. Bhavin has worked with the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons since he was a trainee and eventually became chair of the consultants and specialists group serving on council for six years. He was a founder and President of the OMFS section at The Royal Society of Medicine bringing together experts in the field for training and education. Bhavin has most recently served as a Regional Director in London for RCS England and has actively facilitated the college's work in quality, training and support whilst embracing diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Ravi is an upper GI cancer surgeon who enjoys building and growing things as much as performing surgery; from improving cancer pathways and training to exploring how technology can support healthier patients and better surgical care. He hopes to strengthen collaboration between the College and ASGBI; champion education, leadership, and financial literacy; and support surgeons to build strong professional foundations while embracing innovation to optimise careers and patient care. He also indulges in fitness pursuits, skiing, investing, and working on projects that help people build healthier, more sustainable lives.

Lynda trained in Sheffield, Nottingham, and Manchester. She is Professor of Surgical Oncology at Sheffield University and Consultant Breast Surgeon in Doncaster. Her interests are age related inequalities, psycho-oncology, and decision science in breast cancer. She would like to ensure that the college continues to support surgeons to develop and progress their skills, in the fast-paced world of medical advances, ensuring surgeons are supported to develop and maintain their skills and knowledge.

Biography coming soon.

Based in South Yorkshire, Meg is a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon (ST5) and President of BOTA. She is passionate about medical education, and have supported aspiring orthopaedic trainees through teaching, mentoring, and exam and interview preparation. She has also helped establish collaborative educational and research initiatives across Yorkshire. Whilst on Council, she aims to give a voice to our trainee surgeons and improve current training standards to make surgical training more equitable for all.

Biography coming soon.

Matthew is the Regional Director for Scotland.

Andrew Garnham has been a consultant surgeon at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust since 2000 working as part of the Black Country Vascular Unit. Specialising in general and vascular surgery, he completed an endovascular fellowship in aortic stent grafting and peripheral angioplasty in Leicester Royal Infirmary. He was the first program director for vascular surgical training in the West Midlands and has been the lead TPD for general surgery and faculty development in the West Midlands. He has been actively involved in surgical education since a trainee as President of the Rouleaux Club, subsequently been involved in the development of vascular training ASPIRE program though the education committee of the vascular society and the Royal College of Edinburgh vascular specialty board which he chaired. Latterly he has been President of the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland and has been head of school of surgery in the West Midlands since May 2023. He is the current chair of CoPSS.

Biography coming soon.

Emily is the President of the Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT) and an ST4 registrar in colorectal surgery, based in the east of England. She sits on the General Surgery SAC and Recruitment Committee as Trainee Representative. She has led collaborative research including STARSurg and EuroSurg, and am interested in Widening Participation and Women in Surgery. As ASiT President, she aims to provide an independent trainee voice and opinion on matters discussed at Council, to ensure trainees views are represented and heard.

Felicity Meyer went to comprehensive school in Guildford and studied Medicine at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. She completed her vascular surgical training in the South East Thames region and was appointed as a consultant at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in 2003. She is now Deputy Medical Director at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn. She has been a member of WinS since its inception and, more recently, has been the RCS England Flexible Working Advisor and joint Deputy Chair of the WinS Forum. She is passionate about teaching and training and is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of East Anglia. She has three adult children and, in 2022, undertook a sabbatical to complete a unique 900+ mile walk across the UK.

Vinita Shekar is an SAS surgeon in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Ninewells hospital, Dundee. She is an international medical graduate, having graduated from India. She arrived in the UK in 2000 and completed her junior doctor training in London while undertaking International Qualifying exams and Membership of Faculty of Dental Surgery exams at RCS England. She joined Portsmouth Hospital NHS Trust as a specialty doctor in 2008 and moved to Scotland in 2014. During her junior doctor training years, she completed her master’s in law (LLM in Legal Aspects of Medical Practice) at Cardiff law school in 2010. She was awarded Fellowship by Assessment by Faculty of Dental Surgery, London in 2021. Alongside her main clinical role, she holds titles of honorary tutor at Dundee University and an educational advisor for SAS doctors and dentists in NHS Tayside. She is passionate about equal opportunities for education and training of SAS doctors and dentists. Her past roles include being an investigator officer for doctors in difficulty, a whistle-blowing advocate, clinical audit lead and clinical governance lead. She was an elected member on the council of the British Association of OMFS representing SAS surgeons and an invited Council member of RCS England until 2024. She was co-chair of the SAS Forum, representing SAS fellows and members of RCS England on the SAS committee of Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.

Ian graduated from Medical School in 1985. Ian always knew he wanted to be a surgeon and, after periods in Orthopaedics and Urology, stumbled across Neonatal and Paediatric Surgery in Southampton, where his career choice completely changed. Over the ensuing years Ian trained in Paediatric Surgery, but also in Neonatal and Paediatric Medicine, before finishing his training at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. Ian became a Consultant Neonatal and Paediatric Surgeon in Leeds in 1999 and has remained there to 2024. In the department Ian subspecialised in Paediatric Colorectal Surgery. He, with colleagues have developed joint clinics covering patients with inflammatory bowel disease, Spina Bifida and other neuropathic conditions and transition clinics. He has now established transition clinics in Bradford where there are Paediatric Colorectal Nurse Specialists. During his time as Lead Clinician, he became Lead Clinician for the Paediatric Gastroenterology Department and led the development of this to a thriving department with Consultants, Nurse Specialists, Pharmacists, Dieticians, Psychologists and Social Workers. Whilst research is not Ian’s greatest strength, he has had over 40 papers published, 19 chapters published and has taught and presented work nationally and internationally. Ian has been part of the Yorkshire and Humber Operational Directive Network since October 2020 and is presently Lead Clinician for the ODN. Ian has been heavily involved with British Association of Paediatric Surgeons since 2008, initially as webmaster, but then as Honorary Secretary and then Honorary Treasurer, before being elected as President, which he has held since July 2022. Over the years, Ian helped develop the first BAPS Specialist Interest Group (of which there are now four), that being in Paediatric Colorectal Surgery. Ian is the first Paediatric Surgeon to be elected President of FSSA. Ian is married to Rachel, a Consultant Pathologist, and they have three daughters. In his free time, he enjoys walking the beaches of Northumberland, photography and is a season ticket holder for Leeds United.

Originally trained as a teacher in London, he has taught in both London and Australia. He holds a B.Ed from the University of London, an MHMS (Qual) from the University of Queensland, and an MBA from the Queensland University of Technology with a focus on healthcare systems. He has also completed executive leadership and governance programs at Harvard and Oxford Universities. David has over 40 years’ experience at CEO/Director and Chair level, one of which was CEO of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. His consulting work has included: governance reviews, strategic planning, organisational restructures, and business re-engineering for many clients. He was Director of Health for the Bahrain Economic Development Board, contributing to their Vision 2030 and as an adviser for Quality for the Bahrain Defence Force Medical Services. He has undertaken international consultancies on behalf of the WHO including developing a quality framework for tertiary hospitals (882) in Iran. David has been an independent expert evaluator on health programs (Horizon 2020) for the European Commission and a member of the Expert Group on quality improvement of health systems with the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua). David is a facilitator and consensus builder who is determined to assist the College by providing strategic advice to ensure that the patient voice is embedded in the College’s work. He has a passion for quality improvement in healthcare and making a positive impact for patients and providers through developing policy based on listening, rational debate, and grounded research.

Yasser Mohsen is a full-time NHS consultant general and colorectal surgeon at the Hillingdon and Mount Vernon Hospitals in London, appointed in 2000. He trained in Liverpool, Birmingham, London, and did research at the Royal Free Hospital where he was awarded Masters of Surgery, University of London. He specializes in laparoscopic colorectal and general surgery. He is a member of ASGBI (Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland), ACPGBI (Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland), RSM (Royal Society of Medicine) and ESCP (European Society of Coloproctology). He has held a variety of positions including Trust Lead Colorectal Cancer Surgeon, Clinical Surgical Lead and Caldicott Guardian for many years. He is a teacher and trainer of nurses, medical students and junior surgeons with a keen interest in surgical education. He has been a surgical tutor, and continues to be a MRCS examiner at the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He is a committee member of the Quality Assurance Operational Group (QAOG) at the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He is always looking for new ways to use his skills to make a difference and is excited and humbled to be elected Chair of the Court of Examiners of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.