Professor Sir Alan Craft was, until 2008, the James Spence Professor of Child Health at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. This is a large Department which provides teaching for 390 medical students each year and has a major research portfolio.

He trained as a paediatrician and a paediatric oncologist and spent 25 years setting up and directing an oncology service for the north of England. The management of bone tumours in young people has been a special clinical and research interest and he has been a leader of major studies both in the UK and across Europe. He was a founder member of the United Kingdom Children’s Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG) and was its Secretary and Chairman. At an international level he has been involved with the International Paediatric Oncology Society as both Secretary General and President.

At a national level in the UK he has been Vice President and President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and has also chaired the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges in 2007-8 he undertook a major review of palliative care services for children. He is president of ACT

In 2009 he was appointed as Chairman of the Scout Association and a director of the Medical Defence Union

He has over 300 publications and has been a holder of major research grants.

He received a knighthood from the Queen in 2004 for services to medicine