We are delighted to announce that Professor Gavin Perkins has officially taken on the role of President of Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) as of 28 November 2024.
Professor Perkins joined RCUK as Vice-President in 2022, after chairing the ALS Subcommittee and playing a key role in the development of the e-ALS course. He was also the inaugural chair of the Community and Ambulance Resuscitation Committee. With a strong research focus on cardiac arrest, including leading the PARAMEDIC trials and OHCAO Registry, he is widely recognised for his contributions to resuscitation science and has been honoured by ILCOR as a leading figure in the field.
On becoming president of RCUK, Prof Gavin Perkins said: “I am thrilled to be taking over the Presidency at such an exciting time for RCUK. My focus over the next three years will be working collaboratively to drive forward our vision to ensure that everyone has access to appropriate CPR. We are evolving exciting plans to build our strengths in research, education and implementation to improve the outcomes for all people affected by cardiac arrest and its aftermath. I am hugely grateful for the support provided to me by our outgoing President, Prof Andy Lockey. Having worked with Andy for over 30 years, I know I have big shoes to fill and to do the role the justice it deserves.”
We welcome the appointment of Prof Gavin Perkins and are exceptionally grateful to our outgoing President, Prof Andy Lockey MBE.
Prof Andy Lockey has been a leading figure in resuscitation both in the UK and internationally. Since joining RCUK in 1993 as an ALS Instructor, his clinical expertise and dedication have saved countless lives. As RCUK President since 2021, following his seven-year tenure as Chair of the ALS Subcommittee and eight years as Honorary Secretary, he has significantly advanced resuscitation training and patient outcomes. A key achievement has been his pivotal role in the Restart a Heart (RSAH) campaign, which aims to increase the number of people surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrests by helping more people learn CPR. Under his leadership, RSAH has grown into a global initiative, fostering a culture where bystander CPR is widely practised. He was recognised for his contributions to resuscitation training with an MBE in the inaugural King’s New Years Honours list in December 2022.
Prof Andy Lockey MBE said: “It has been an honour and privilege to lead RCUK over the last three years. We are in a much stronger position than we have ever been before and I am really excited to see the direction RCUK will take next under Gavin’s leadership. He has a strong pedigree of inclusivity and focus and we are in exceptional hands moving forwards.”
We are endlessly grateful for the work done by Prof Lockey. We welcome him to his new role as Vice-President of the organisation and look forward to his continued contributions to RCUK and the wider world of resuscitation.
RCUK CEO, Dr James Cant said: “The transition shows once again just how fortunate we are within RCUK. Professor Andy Lockey has over three decades of association with the organisation. He has been instrumental in championing so much of our innovation throughout this time. His Presidency was characterised by energy and support in great and equal measure.
“Such is the depth of talent among our clinical experts that the role of President now passes to Professor Gavin Perkins. Gavin’s reputation as one of the most eminent clinical researchers on the global stage is longstanding and well-deserved.
“Having the support, insight and challenge provided by global resuscitation leaders like Andy and Gavin enables RCUK to maintain its position as the UK leader in resuscitation science and training.”
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