Professor Neil Mortensen recognised in King’s New Year Honours

Royal College of Surgeons of England Past President, Professor Neil Mortensen, has been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours. Professor Mortensen has been made a Knight Bachelor for services to surgery and recognition of his contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic. He served as president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England from 2020 to 2023.

Professor Mortensen is Emeritus Professor of Colorectal Surgery in the University of Oxford Medical School and has been on the staff of the Oxford University Hospitals since 1987, where he is currently honorary consultant colorectal surgeon. He is a fellow of Green Templeton College. Following his appointment at Oxford he campaigned for the recognition of colorectal surgery as a specialty and created the present department. He has clinical and research interests in a wide range of colorectal diseases. Professor Mortensen also established Occtopus, the Oxford Colon Cancer Trust, of which he remains Chair.

He became a member of Council of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 2013, and a member of the Board of Trustees in 2016. He served as Editor in Chief of the RCS England Bulletin from 2014 to 2019. In 2017 he was elected Vice President, and in 2020 he became President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Responding to the news of Professor Sir Neil Mortensen’s honour, Mr Tim Mitchell, current President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said:

“Everyone at the College is absolutely delighted that Neil’s achievements have been recognised in the King’s New Year’s Honours.

“During his presidency, he helped navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, having initially started his term fully remotely. He worked closely with the NHS to tackle the elective surgery backlog and promoted the concept of surgical hubs. He commissioned the Kennedy Review and Action Plan 2021, which focussed on improving diversity, equity and inclusion within the profession. He led the College’s return to its rebuilt and refurbished headquarters in Lincoln’s Inn Fields between 2021 and 2022, and oversaw the opening of the newly repositioned and rebuilt Hunterian Museum in spring 2023.

“I congratulate Professor Sir Neil and the many other medical leaders who have been recognised in today’s honours.”