New Chair of the Faculty of Surgical Trainers
Mr James Tomlinson is a Fellow of the Faculty of Surgical Trainers and former Deputy Director of the Faculty.
The Faculty of Surgical Trainers (FST) is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr James Tomlinson as Chair of the Faculty, effective September 2025.
Mr Tomlinson is a Consultant Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon and Associate Medical Director for Education at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. He has a longstanding interest in surgical training, having served as an Academic Training Programme Director and Associate Dean, and is a current member of the Trauma & Orthopaedic Specialist Advisory Committee (SAC). Mr Tomlinson also holds a Masters in Higher Education, with his thesis focused on the transition into higher surgical training.
Professor Rowan Parks, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, welcomed the appointment:
I am delighted to welcome James Tomlinson as the new Chair of the Faculty of Surgical Trainers. James brings a wealth of experience in surgical education, leadership, and curriculum development, alongside a deep commitment to supporting the professional growth of surgeons at all stages of their careers. His vision and dedication will be instrumental in strengthening the Faculty’s role as a leader in surgical training and ensuring that excellence in education continues to drive excellence in patient care.
Professor Rowan Parks
Reflecting on his appointment, Mr Tomlinson said:
As the incoming Chair of the Faculty of Surgical Trainers, I am excited to build upon the strong foundation laid by my predecessor, Professor Alex Phillips. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Alex for his outstanding leadership and dedication, which have significantly advanced our Faculty’s mission to enhance surgical education and training. Looking ahead, our plans focus on fostering innovation in teaching methods, expanding professional development opportunities, and strengthening collaboration across College Faculties to ensure the highest standards of training for our future surgeons and improve patient care.
Mr James Tomlinson
Visit our Faculty of Surgical Trainers page to learn more about the Faculty and how to get involved!