Officers
The SBNS Officers and Council members are elected by the full members of the Society. Their remit is to govern the Society. Council Meetings are held four times a year and the AGM is held during the SBNS Autumn Meeting.
The President of the Society is an invited member the Council of the Federation of Surgical Specialties of Great Britain and Ireland and of the Surgical Forum. The Society is also represented on the Specialist Advisory Committee in Neurosurgery to the Joint Committee on Higher Surgical Training and on the Intercollegiate Examination Board for the Specialist Fellowship in Neurosurgery. Links with the Department of Health are maintained through membership of the Joint Neuroscience Council.
If you wish to contact any of the officers you can do so via the SBNS office [email protected]
Professor Peter Hutchinson
Hospital and region: Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge
Subspecialty/ies: General Neurosurgery, Neurotrauma and Critical Care
Other roles: President of the International Neurotrauma Society, NIHR Senior Investigator, Director of the NIHR Research Group on Acquired Brain and Spine Injury and NIHR Heathtech Research Centre for Brain Injury, Director of Clinical Studies at Robinson College and Chief Medical Officer for the Formula One British Grand Prix.
Demographic information: Male, English born in Plymouth, Devon, middle class origins from the UK and Ireland (UK and Irish Citizenship).
What was your journey that led you to SBNS council? I have a longstanding association with the SBNS including President Elect, SBNS Meetings and Communications Secretary, Chair of the Academic Committee, Founding Chair of the British Neurotrauma Group, and previous elected council member. On the journey to my current SBNS Council post I have undertaken other roles relevant to clinical practice, education and research including President of the Clinical Neurosciences Section of the RSM, Secretary of the EANS and Co-chair of the WFNS Neurotrauma Committee. Given my passion for UK led research and education, and having attended numerous SBNS meetings since 1995 as a speaker or chair, I was motivated to stand for the President of the SBNS and was privileged to commence this role in September 2024.
What are your aims/contributions to SBNS council? In my role as President I work with the Senior Executive Committee (Peter Whitfield, Nigel Mendoza, Surajit Basu, Crispin Wigfield, Michael Jenkinson, Sam Hettige) our council, our membership and our fantastic admin team- Suzanne Murray, Alix Gordon and Carole Turner to promote clinical practice, training and research in UK and Irish Neurosurgery and beyond in terms of our global initiative.
The aims and contributions to the SBNS include supporting:
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SBNS Centenary meeting SBNS 100. Working with the the SBNS 100 committee- Mark Wilson, Katie Gilkes, Peter Whitfield, Crispin Wigfield, Michael Jenkinson, Nigel Mendoza, Sam Hettige, Jonathan Pollock, Richard Gullan, Surajit Basu, Alix Gordon, Suzanne Murray, Carole Turner to deliver a successful meeting in London October 12th – 16th 2026. We aim specifically to maximise attendance from other specialities and internationally and produce a new SBNS history of UK and Irish Neurosurgery book (led by Jonathan Pollock) and portfolio of the UK Neurosurgery top publications over the past 100 years.
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Global Neurosurgery. The Global Neurosurgery initiative led by Vice President Nigel Mendoza aims to increase the number of global fellowships (UK-LMIC and LMIC-UK) and research opportunities, and progress the concept of neurotrauma as a notifiable disease. The SBNS is a members of the G4 Alliance and make a major contribution to the activities of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies.
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Future of Neurosurgery. The Academic Committee led by Vice President Michael Jenkinson in addition to delivering the SBNS research portfolio aims to promote impact (including change of practice) and support the membership with getting their ideas- technology, novel approaches to treatment into practice.
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Training. The Neurosurgery Specialty Advisory Committee led by Donald Macarthur plays a critical role in effective and safe training including supporting workforce planning, national selection and the neurosimulation programme.
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The British Journal of Neurosurgery. Nitin Mukerji Editor in Chief of the British Journal of Neurosurgery continues to promote the BJNS globally with a special issue planned for the SBNS100 meeting.
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Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity, Mentoring. The activities of the EDI initiative led by Kat Whitehouse includes undertaking important surveys of the membership with journal publications planned for 2025.
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The National Neurosurgery Audit Programme led by Adel Helmy and Adam Williams continues to deliver audits /registries with new initiatives planned for 2025.
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Guidelines. Nihal Gurusinghe SBNS NICE representative continues to ensure that NICE and other guidelines support appropriate UK/Irish neurosurgical practice.
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Commissioning and service delivery. Andrew King CRG representative continues to address challenges - including the delivery LVHC surgery and networks.
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Website and social media. The new website is scheduled to launch 1st quarter 2025.
Professor Peter Whitfield
Hospital and region: South West Neurosurgery Centre, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth
Subspecialty/ies: General neurosurgery – including neuro-oncology and neurovascular
Role in SBNS council: Immediate Past President until September 2025
Other roles: Previously Secretary to the National Neurosurgery Selection Board and Chairman of SAC
Demographic information: White, British
What was your journey that lead you to SBNS council - long standing commitment to improvement of training and development of the specialty. Increasing involvement in National projects over the last decade. What are your aims/contributions to SBNS council? To support the optimal care of patients with conditions that benefit from neurosurgical interventions. To promote the development and practice of neurosurgery in the UK and Ireland. To support training and CPD initiatives, including our fantastic SBNS Conferences. To support members of the Society. To develop Global Neurosurgical network.
Nigel Mendoza
Hospital and region: Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial NHS HCT
Subspecialty/ies: Skull base and Pituitary Surgery
Other roles: Examiner JCIE
Demographic information: Male, British
What was your journey that lead you to SBNS council?
Many years ago I was advised by a wise urological surgeon to look at career progression every five years and to look for new opportunities. With years of experience of working in the NHS I felt it was time to try to give ‘ something back ‘ nationally. Council allows that opportunity where there is mature considered debate about the issues that concern all of us and where decisions can be made that benefit our community.
What are your aims/contributions to SBNS council? Having previously sat on Council and as Treasurer my current role as VP is lead on Global Neurosurgery with the aim of coordinating a national response drawing on the experience of those Consultants and Units who are already engaged. We have a vision of developing partnerships with LMIC countries to foster collaboration with training exchange programmes and international Multidisciplinary Team meetings
What are your aims/contributions to SBNS council? Having previously sat on Council and as Treasurer my current role as VP is lead on Global Neurosurgery with the aim of coordinating a national response drawing on the experience of those Consultants and Units who are already engaged. We have a vision of developing partnerships with LMIC countries to foster collaboration with training exchange programmes and international Multidisciplinary Team meetings
Professor Michael Jenkinson
Hospital and region: Walton Centre & University of Liverpool, Liverpool
Subspecialty/ies: Neuro-oncology
Other roles: SBNS Accademic Chair, National Subspecialty Lead for the Clinical Research Network (England) for neurosurgery trials (2020-2026), Chair National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Brain Tumour Group (2017-2023), Sir John Fisher Foundation/RCSEng Chair of Surgical Trials, Liverpool.
Demographic information: Male, British
What was your journey that lead you to SBNS council?
I was appointed to the role of Academic Committee Chair which is an ex-officio role on SBNS council and the Senior Execute Committee.
What are your aims/contributions to SBNS council?
o increase neurosurgical and clinical trials research activity across the UK. To develop impact cases and guideline arising for UK-led neurosurgery trials. To support and foster current and future generations of neurosurgeons undertaking research. To facilitate the expansion of the neurosurgery clinical trials portfolio.
Surajit Basu
Subspecialty/ies: Functional Neurosurgery, Neuro-oncology
Role in SBNS council: Honorary Treasurer and Director of the SBNS Charity
Other roles: Chair of The Neurosurgical Foundation (TNF) BJNS, Chair of Joint Committee of Intercollegiate Examination (JCIE) Neurosurgery.
Member of the advisory Board CORESS, Head of Service: Department of Neurosurgery Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust
Demographic information: I graduated from the University of Calcutta and completed specialist neurosurgical training at the Walton Centre, Liverpool. Consultant since 2005,
What was your journey that led you to SBNS council?
I was first elected to the SBNS council in 2017-2021. Currently elected as the Honorary Treasurer
What are your aims/contributions to SBNS council?
SBNS provides a platform for the professional voice of our specialty. Getting involved with SBNS is a way to bring our everyday issues into the national consciousness, both professional and well-being. I became a council member from 2017 to 2021, when I worked on the problem of variations in applying the statutory duty of candor in clinical practice. I have been the infection lead when I developed the SBNS Infection Guidance. I represent SBNS on the RCS Charity - CORESS board where we collect learnings from unreported near misses. I am enjoying the responsibilities of the treasurer.
Crispin Wigfield
Hospital and Region: North Bristol NHS Trust, Southwest England
Subspecialty: Spinal Neurosurgery
Role in SBNS Council: Honorary Secretary
Other roles: Treasurer of the Joint Neurosciences Council.
Member of NHS England Clinical Reference Group for Neurosurgery & Spinal Surgery
Member of the Southwest Clinical Senate
Demographic information:
British, Mixed-race heritage, State school education, Graduated 1993 from Birmingham University Medical School. Post-graduate & higher degrees from Birmingham, Cambridge & Exeter. Clinical training in neurosurgery from the North, South, East & West of England.
What was your journey that led you to SBNS council?
Having spent some years at the interface between neurosurgical practice, medical management, and clinical leadership I have acquired a portfolio of experience necessary for working with complex organisations and institutions. An opportunity to join the council of the SBNS seemed like a good role for channelling that experience into helping to navigate the regulatory, civic, and social frameworks that influence neurosurgical practice in the UK and Ireland.
What are your aims/contributions to SBNS council?
The SBNS brings together many elements that influence the careers of neurosurgeons and most importantly the experiences and care of neurosurgical patients. I’m interested in conversations that change ideas about healthcare, combined with actions that improve standards and clinical outcomes in neurosurgery. I believe this can also create a framework for meaningful and fulfilling careers for neurosurgeons. I endeavour to align interests that contribute to a collaborative culture that can engage with all parts of the neurosurgical profession.
Outside of neurosurgery I am pleased to be a member of The Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) as well as a member of The Arctic Club, organisations that remind me of our global and environmental obligations as well as providing a sense of perspective.
Samantha Hettige
Hospital and Region: St George’s Hospital, London
Subspecialty/ies: Paediatric neurosurgery
Term: 2023-2025
Other roles: FRCS Question writer, Scientific chair of BPNG, Departmental Paediatric lead, ex Clinical governance lead, Conference organiser SBNS 2023 & BPNG 2022, ex BNTA SRTC rep
Demographic information: Female, forties, fortunate, friendly, fabulous, fearless, feisty
What was your journey that led you to SBNS council: I have been attending SBNS events for many years and always enjoyed them. I was then involved in the organisation of the SBNS hosted by my unit, a feat I found really delightful to help coordinate. I was looking for a post of responsibility outside of the NHS when Suzanne emailed out the position. Thanks to everyone who voted for me.
What are your aims/contributions to SBNS council? First and foremost, I will strive to make the SBNS meeting even better in all respects than they are currently. Hutch has already done an excellent job, so I’ve got big shoes to fill. I think international speakers bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise in their respective fields. How “they do it” may increase our armamentarium and encourage lateral thinking.
I would also like to promote more face-to-face interactions at these meetings to forge stronger inter-departmental relationships, rekindle old friendships and facilitate movement for trainees between units through fellowships and word-of-mouth recommendations. I love the idea of reviving the senior trainees travelling club in line with this. I also believe in using industry for education to keep British neurosurgery at the forefront of the field.