Our Council

Professor Robin W Paton is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon (with a special interest in Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery) and was first elected to the council in 2016. He holds an Honorary Chair at the Medical School at UCLAN and was awarded the King James IV Professorship from the college in 2016. A keen interest in surgical training has resulted in him being voted the 'North West Orthopaedic Trainer of the Year' on two occasions. A Fellow of the Faculty of Surgical Trainers, he has a continuing interest in undergraduate/postgraduate education and surgical research. In addition to being an examiner, he has helped to develop the Intercollegiate and International FRCS (T & O) examinations over the past 20 years.

Professor Phil G Turner, a specialist knee surgeon, has held prominent roles in surgical education, including Programme Director, Head of the School of Surgery (HENW), and Chair of national curriculum and training committees. He is an Honorary Professor at the University of Salford, where has led major orthopaedic programmes in Manchester. A past President of the British Orthopaedic Association (2019), he also served as RCSEd Trustee and Council Member, Chairing its Professional Standards Committee and Joint Surgical Fellowship Board.

Ms Anna Paisley is a Consultant General and Upper GI Surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. She has a particular interest in surgical recruitment, training and assessment. She was Regional Surgical Adviser for South East Scotland for 4 years, is current Year One Director of the Edinburgh Surgical Sciences Qualification and was elected onto Council in 2015.

Professor Angus J M Watson OBE, Clinical Chair of Surgery at the University of Aberdeen and honorary Consultant Surgeon at NHS Highland, joined RCSEd Council in 2018. Chairing RCSEd’s Research Committee and the Global Care group, he also oversees the College’s Surgical Skills Competition.

Professor Grant T McIntyre is an NHS Consultant and Honorary Professor in Orthodontics and Joint Clinical Director at Dundee Dental Research Hospital & School. Within the College, Grant is an examiner for MFDS and MOrth and has been a Member of Dental Council since 2014. Grant's clinical work involves the orthodontic management of facial deformity, TMJ-orthognathic cases and cleft lip and palate along with being an Educational Supervisor and Clinical Supervisor for a number of Core and Specialty Trainees. Grant's research work relates to evidence-based clinical care, cleft lip and palate, and imaging, with his research interests involving supervision of Masters and PhD students with over 110 publications to date.

After studying in Edinburgh and Cambridge, and house jobs back in Edinburgh, Paul joined Edinburgh's Department of Clinical Neuroscience for his higher neurosurgical training, He completed a PhD in cancer cell biology in 2014. After a neurosurgical oncology fellowship in Liverpool, Paul became Senior Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Consultant neurosurgeon at the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian in 2016. He was made Reader in 2020 and Clinical Director for neurosurgery at NHS Lothian in 2022. In 2024 he became Professor of Clinical and Experimental Neurosurgery. His sub-specialist surgical practice is in neurosurgical oncology. His research spans the laboratory and the clinic, combining molecular, epidemiology and clinical investigation to guide rationale innovation to improve patient care. Paul's work has a focus on collaborating with the global surgical community.  He was founder of the global surgical training company eoSurgical ltd, and through his work with the Glasgow Coma Scale he launched GCS Global, an international education initiative to improve neurotrauama training and outcomes .

Leena Chagla is Consultant Breast Surgeon and Clinical Lead at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals. A strong advocate for collaboration, MDT working, and trainee welfare, she is also a keen swimmer and former water polo player.

Mr Stuart Clark is a full time NHS Consultant in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in Central Manchester. He was elected to Council in 2016. He is actively involved in examinations, education, the Regional Advisory Network and International Medical Graduates.

Professor Farhat VN Din is a Senior Lecturer with the University of Edinburgh. Her research focuses on colorectal cancer prevention by investigating the molecular mechanisms of the anti-tumour effects of chemopreventive agents on energy and metabolism signalling. She integrates her translational research programme with her clinical practice as a consultant colorectal surgeon at the Western General Hospital. Her contribution to translational research clinical surgery and training was recognised by the Hunter Doig Medal in 2015. She is on the RCSEd and Tenovus research committees. At a national level, Farhat has contributed to the NICE committee on FIT and contributes to cancer prevention networks including the ECMC- UK Therapeutic Cancer Prevention Network. Farhat was appointment Scotland's first Colorectal Cancer Surgical Research Chair from April 2023, a joint appointment between RCSEd and Bowel Cancer UK.

Mr Peter Driscoll is Consultant General, Laparoscopic and Upper GI Surgeon in Fife, specialising in abdominal wall reconstruction and groin pain in elite athletes. Outside work, he runs a smallholding, coaches target shooting at national level, and enjoys renovating classic cars.

Elected to RCSEd Council, Peter Driscoll is committed to supporting Affiliates, Members and Fellows. 

Claire Edwards is a Consultant Hand and Trauma Surgeon at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital since 2010.

Claire Edwards is Chair of the Trauma and Orthopaedics Surgical Specialty Board and sits on the Research and Awards Committee of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Claire is Director of Core Surgical Education for HEEoE, a member of the Trauma and Orthopaedics ST3 National Selection Design Group, and is active in research.

A specialist in surgical oncology and hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery, Dr Muhammad R Khan is Professor of Surgery and Associate Dean for Postgraduate Medical Education at Aga Khan University, Karachi. Holds fellowships from RCSEd, CPSP, and ACS, and an MHPE with Honours. He has introduced innovations in medical education focused on mentorship, wellness, and outcome-based training, alongside an extensive research portfolio.

Mr Siong Liau is a Consultant Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgeon based at the Cambridge Regional HPB Surgical Unit, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. He was the Chair of the Surgical Specialty Board in General Surgery at the College from 2020-22. He recently served a 4-year term as the Finance Director of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI) and is a current Board Trustee of the ASGBI Foundation Charity. He received surgical training in Cambridge, Toronto, Hong Kong, Paris and Edinburgh. He was fellowship-trained in HPB Surgical Oncology and Abdominal Multiorgan Transplantation at the Toronto General Hospital, Canada and in Advanced Laparoscopic HPB Surgery at L'Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, Paris, France. His main clinical interest is in minimally-invasive HPB surgery.

Professor Krishnakumar Madhavan is a Professor of Surgery at the National University of Singapore. Senior Consultant Surgeon and Head of Department, National University Hospital , Singapore. Group Director - Surgery, National University Health System after advanced surgical training in the East of Scotland Higher Surgical Training Scheme, he was appointed as Consultant Surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, specializing in Hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery and liver, kidney, and pancreas transplantation. While he held this position, he got deeply involved in RCSEd activities – mainly as Examiner for the FRCS examinations both in UK and overseas. He was also a regular tutor at the Basic Surgical Skills Course organised by RCSEd and was later sent as the College Convener for the same course in Oman. After joining the National University of Singapore, he represented RCSEd as a College Examiner until he reverted to a Singapore examiner. After having been appointed the College Auditor, he has stopped examining and taken part as auditor in the FRCS examinations of General Surgery, Neuro Surgery and Orthopaedics Surgery.

Ms Amanda McCabe FRCS(paeds) is a Consultant Paediatric Surgeon for 13 years, based at Ninewells Hospital Dundee and Royal Hospital for Children and Young Adults, Edinburgh. Her practice specialises in lower GI (Hirschsprungs disease and anorectal anomalies). During her career she has taken a keen interest in surgical training, with particular focus on basic skills and fine motor development. She examines for MRCS (UK and overseas) and FRCS(paeds) and chairs its question writing group. She is a member of the SAC for paediatric surgery and is current chair of Surgical Speciality Board (paed surg) at RCSEd. A keen gardener and dog walker with 2 teenage sons and a very understanding husband.

Colonel Alistair Mountain is a regular serving officer within the Defence Medical Services. He has completed 35 yrs service with operational tours to Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Afghanistan, North Africa and the Middle East. He has deployed both as part of a large multi-national medical team (Afghanistan) and within a smaller surgical group supporting austere operations (Mali).

He has spent the last 8 years combining clinical practice with senior leadership roles within the military (Consultant Adviser Army in T&O, Defence Adviser in T&O and latterly Military Clinical Director at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (Stanford Hall)). He has been the Training Programme Director for military trainees in Trauma and Orthopaedics and currently sits on the Specialty Advisory Committee for T&O.

He splits his time between clinical commitments as a Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic surgeon (with sub-specialty interest in Foot and Ankle reconstruction) at Royal Stoke University Hospital, DMRC (SH) and his responsibilities as council member for RCSEd.

He was elected to College Council in 2022 and has led on the college trauma education portfolio review, developed the CRISIS group (Conflict Related Injuries and Surgical Innovations). His other roles include Council Liaison for Faculty of Pre-hospital Care, Faculty of Peri-operative Care, SASLC committee and SSB for Plastic Surgery.

He has previously been the UK Clinical Director for the European Trauma Course -UK (ETC-UK) 2015-2023 and International Chair of the Course Management Committee for the ETC-Organisation (ETCO) 2018-2023. He maintains an active interest in Trauma Education and Non-Technical Skills within small teams.

He was awarded the Membership of the Most Venerable Order of St John in April 2025 for Excellence in Military Medicine.

Mr Zahid Raza is a Consultant Vascular Surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. His particular interests include vascular access and open aortic surgery. He is the past Deputy Convenor of RCSEd Exams as well as the Regional Surgical Advisor for Edinburgh. He has an interest in postgraduate exams and teaching. He runs the Edinburgh MRCS prep course nationally and internationally and has been an examiner for the college since 2004.

Mr Haroon Rehman (MBChB, MSc, FRCS (T&O), FFST) is a Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon based at Victoria Hospital and the National Treatment Centre within NHS Fife. He specialises in the surgical management of musculoskeletal injuries and performs a high volume of hip and knee replacements.

A graduate of Aberdeen University, he completed his orthopaedic training in the North of Scotland before further refining his expertise through the prestigious John Charnley Fellowship at Wrightington Hospital, a world-renowned centre for hip replacement surgery. He also undertook a travelling fellowship in robotic hip and knee replacement, an area he believes is transforming patient care.

Beyond his clinical practice, Mr Rehman serves as the Governance Lead for Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery at NHS Fife and is an Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Dundee. He is an examiner for the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) exam and a Fellow of the Faculty of Surgical Trainers. Committed to supporting international trainees, he plays a key role in welcoming and mentoring visiting surgeons through the International Postgraduate Deanery induction programme.

Mr Rehman has a strong interest in patient safety, reducing waiting lists, and training the next generation of surgeons.

I am an international medical graduate from India, completed my postgraduate training in the UK, with fellowship training at Mayo Clinic in Europe and Asia. I have been a Consultant Surgeon for seventeen years and have been involved in surgical education and RCSEd activities at the regional, national, and international levels. I have held various positions within the college, and I see the next step as being a council member to serve the surgical needs nationally and globally. These are challenging times for healthcare professionals all over the world. Still, there is an excellent opportunity to work collaboratively and in partnership with various organisations to ensure that the modern workforce is robust and competent to serve the population's needs, and I can support this process.

Emma Stapleton is a Consultant Otolaryngologist at Manchester Royal Infirmary, Clinical Lead for the Cochlear Implant Programme, and Editor of Surgeons’ News. She sits on multiple editorial boards, is Trustee of the TWJ Foundation and BCIG, and is an active researcher at the University of Manchester. She received the 2022 Hunter-Doig Medal and the 2023 Rowena Ryan Award.

Mr Sai Krishna Vittal is a Consultant Endocrine Surgeon based in Chennai, India. His major area of interest is in Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery. He is an Adjunct Professor of the Tamilnadu Dr MGR Medical University based in Chennai and Honorary Associate Professor of RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus. He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka in 2017. Mr Vittal served as President of Indian Association of Endocrine Surgeons in 2019-2020. He was an International Surgical Adviser of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and is currently Convener of MRCS(Ed) Examinations in Chennai.  He has been a College examiner since 2011 and has worked extensively on behalf of the College especially in the field of assessment and education. He was awarded the International Medal of the College for 2020 for services to the College and Surgery.

Majid Mukadam MBE joined RSCEd SASLC in May 2016 and is also member of Cardiothoracic Surgical Specialty Board. He is the SAS Lead at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust since 2011. He has a keen interest in teaching and training, did PGCE in Health Education from the University of Birmingham and is a GMC accredited Clinical Supervisor and an Appraiser for the Trust. His qualifications include MCh(CVTS) from Bombay, India and FRCS(C-Th) from United Kingdom. He works as an Associate Specialist in Cardiothoracic Transplantation and leads the cardiothoracic Retrieval service at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham. He was recently awarded MBE by Her Majesty the Queen for his services to transplant patients. His vision is to increase representation of SAS doctors to examination boards.

Mr Lasitha Bhagya Samarakoon (BS BM (Col) MRCS (Edin. & Eng.) Mmed (NUH) ChM(UoE) FEBS(EBSQ) FRCSGlasg(Gen) FRCSEd(Gen) FFSTEd) graduated from the University of Colombo in 2010 with First-class honours. Subsequently, he completed general surgical residency training and obtained fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh (RCSEd) in 2020. He has been actively engaged in clinical practice, academic research and medical education for more than a decade. His involvement in both local and international research projects has resulted in numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and abstracts presented at national and international conferences. Additionally, he has authored and published several books. Mr Samarakoon serves as a clinical tutor for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) and the Leicester Medical School. He participates as teaching faculty in numerous surgical courses conducted by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) and Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), as well as the University of Edinburgh (UOE). Furthermore, he serves as an Examiner for the Intercollegiate Committee of Basic Surgical Examinations (ICBSE) and is a current member of the Specialty Board for General Surgery (SSB GS) at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd). In addition to his busy clinical practice, Mr Samarakoon is an avid chess player, reader, amateur pilot, and aviation enthusiast. He finds joy in teaching, training, and mentoring the next generation of surgeons. He is extremely passionate about helping SAS LED doctors overcome hurdles to navigate and achieve their full potential in their careers, across a variety of roles and aspects.

Michael is a Pelvic Floor Fellow at St Mark’s Hospital National Bowel Hospital with a notable track record in leadership and surgical education. He has served as President of the Moynihan Academy (EGS and Trauma) and contributed to committees for RCSEng and ASGBI, including work on the Kennedy Report and its recommendations. As ASiT’s inaugural EDI Officer, he played a key role in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within surgical training.

His other roles have included Training Trainee Lead for ALSGBI, Pelvic Floor Representative for the Dukes’ Club, and Trainee Representative for NHS Elective Recovery. He is also the Registrar to the National SDEC Lead. Committed to training, Michael completed a PGDip in Medical Education at Cambridge.

Outside of work, Michael is a father of four and married to a psychiatrist, who provides him with routine assessments pro gratis. He enjoys collecting antique surgical texts, a reflection of his deep passion for the history of medicine.

Matthew Goldsworthy is a Specialty Registrar in General Surgery. He qualified in medicine from the University of Leeds before undertaking surgical training in the North West of England. His clinical interests are in surgical oncology, and he has completed academic scholarships in this field, both in the UK and internationally at Massachusetts General Hospital, USA. Matt is passionate about surgical training and aims to use his role on the RCSEd Trainees’ Committee to advocate for excellence in surgical education for the benefit of future consultant surgeons and their patients.

Mr Richard Cure is Associate Professor, Head of Orthodontics at The University of Warwick. He is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Fellow of the Faculty of Dental Trainers and a GDC Education Associate. He examines for the College at MOrth, MFDS and MAGDS.

Professor Jon Lund

Mr John Hines

It is an honour to serve as the next International Postgraduate Dean for our College’s International Postgraduate Deanery.

As a Birmingham based Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon and a previous Trauma and Orthopaedic Lead within the Deanery, I intend to carry on the excellent work and legacy of my predecessor, Mr Stuart Clark. My links with our college are longstanding, going back to when I was first welcomed there in 1990 attaining the DipIMC RCSEd and then FRCSEd in 1991. FRCS(Tr&Orth) followed in 1997, and I upgraded my Dip IMC to FIMC RCSEd in 2001.

As a trainer and teacher, I also found my ten years as an FRCS Orth examiner and two years as an examiner assessor were very helpful in training. I have a lot of experience in adapting surgical training to the resource environment at hand due to my experience as a surgeon in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Mali, Sierra Leone, Iraq, Syria, Central America and the Balkans.

The primary function of the Deanery is to facilitate training opportunities for surgeons in the ten surgical specialities. We are looking to support higher level surgical trainees to undertake temporary training placements in the UK; to quality assure their training; to offer mentorship and support; and of course, to evidence training achievements. We are proud to award our successful trainees with the College’s MIPDEd (Membership of the International Postgraduate Deanery).

If you are able to host and train an International Medical Graduate within your NHS department, please contact the team at sponsorship@rcsed.ac.uk.

I look forward to continuing the good work of our previous Dean, and Advancing Global Surgical Excellence.

Miss Sandra McAllister is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon with special interest in Soft Tissue Sarcoma and Complex Skin Cancer, in Belfast. During her varied career Miss McAllister has been an Academic Clinical Lecturer at Queen’s University with varied research interests and with a continued commitment to education and teaching.

Sarah Healy,ENT Head and Neck Surgeon, James Cook University Hospital Middlesbrough.