Broadly what has been the main focus of your discussions?
It’s mainly been about career development and about how to approach establishing a research group. When I became a Clinician Scientist, I decided to concentrate on completing my specialist training in my first year and getting my CCST, so that I would then be able to practise as a consultant. As a consultant I knew that I would be more autonomous and able to protect my research time and no longer get pulled into presenting cases and teaching, as registrars do. That year got a bit more complicated when my scientific sponsors were offered significant promotions and left Leeds. So instead of spending a lot of time at the bench, I rather quickly took on the responsibilities of running a group – including finding funding for it! It was a time when independent advice from a successful academic medic was especially valuable. He was able to help me see the bigger picture, without the local pressures.

What do you most value about the relationship?
Having a source of independent careers advice, from someone outside my University, who has my best interests at heart.

What advice would you give to those choosing an Academy mentor?
I would ask around a lot before picking someone. I did – my colleagues at university and my funders – before deciding. It’s got to be someone you can talk to honestly and who will also give you an honest opinion.

For me it was important to have someone who had been through a similar career track. I wanted a clinician, so they would understand the career issues for medics, especially balancing clinical and academic work. I thought it was important to have someone in my own specialty so they knew about the hierarchy and politics involved. I also decided someone with related, though not identical, research interests would be helpful, as proved to be the case.