Professor Mark Strachan begins term as President

Professor Mark Strachan begins term as President

Professor Mark Strachan has begun his term as President of The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, following an open College election in summer 2025. He brings to the role a distinguished record of clinical leadership, academic excellence and long-standing service to the profession.

Professor Strachan is a Consultant in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Acute Medicine at the Western General Hospital and Honorary Professor at the University of Edinburgh. His clinical interests include endocrine oncology and monogenic diabetes. He founded the Scottish Thyroid Cancer Network and, in recognition of this work, he received the Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust Award for Outstanding Services to Thyroid Cancer in 2020.

He is a lead member of the South-East Scotland Neuroendocrine Cancer Service and has played a prominent role in national charities. Professor Strachan served as Trustee and Treasurer of the British Thyroid Foundation for 13 years and was a founder Trustee of the Anne Edgar Charitable Trust, supporting patients with neuroendocrine tumours.

A former RD Lawrence Lecturer for Diabetes UK, his research on C-peptide measurement in diabetes led to the establishment of a national testing programme across Scotland. He previously served as President of the Scottish Society of Physicians and is an editor of the internationally renowned textbook ‘Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine’.

Professor Strachan has also given extensive service to the College over many years. He was Secretary of the Symposium Committee from 2005 to 2009 and was first elected to Council in 2010. Appointed Secretary of the College in 2016, he demitted office in September 2024 before taking up the role of Honorary Librarian and Heritage Trustee.

His appointment as President marks the beginning of a new chapter of leadership built on decades of commitment to patient care, education and professional excellence. 

Professor Strachan said:

It is a great honour to serve as President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

For over three centuries, our College has stood for excellence in education, professional standards, and compassionate patient care. I step into this role with deep respect for that history and with gratitude for the Fellows and Members whose dedication continues to shape our future.

We are practising medicine in a time of extraordinary challenge and transformation. From workforce pressures and health inequalities to rapid advances in science and technology, our profession is evolving at pace. My commitment as President is to ensure that our College remains a strong, independent voice for physicians - supporting our Fellows and Members at every stage of their careers and advocating for the highest standards of care for our patients.

I look forward to listening, learning, and working alongside colleagues across the UK and around the world. Together, we will strengthen our community, champion clinical excellence, and uphold the values that define our profession.

Welcoming Professor Strachan to the role, outgoing President Professor Andrew Elder said:

Congratulations on beginning your tenure as President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

 This is a tremendous honour and a testament to your dedication, leadership, and commitment to advancing excellence in medicine. At a time when the medical profession continues to evolve and face new challenges, your vision and experience will no doubt help strengthen the College’s proud tradition of education, innovation, and patient care.

I wish you every success as you guide the College forward, support our Fellows and Members across the globe, and champion the highest standards of clinical practice. The future of the College is in excellent hands.