Professor Dion Morton, Barling Professor of Surgery, colorectal surgeon and joint-lead of the NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s 2020 Birthday Honours for services to Innovation in the NHS.

Professor Morton is also head of the Academic Department of Surgery at the University of Birmingham and was the Clinical Director of the West Midlands Genomic Medicine Centre, led by UHB.

He has been a driving force behind surgical innovation and collaboration on a local, regional and global level.

Recognising the immense potential of surgical trainees in research, Professor Morton championed the development of the UK’s first trainee-led research network, the West Midlands Research Collaborative (WMRC) which pioneered a UK wide network of 18 collaboratives.

Professor Morton said: "Surgeons in Birmingham and the West Midlands have led a transformation in surgical research that has spread across the globe, reaching and benefitting patients across five continents. This was achieved by trainee surgeons and consultants working together to form global research networks.

"This community has delivered practice changing evidence that has been rapidly disseminated for patient benefit. I am delighted that the work of these surgeons has been recognised."