I was a consultant physician at Guy's and St Thomas' between 1988 and retirement in 2019. I contributed clinical support to the stroke research team at KCL under the leadership of Prof Charles Wolfe during that time conducting the first large scale trial of early supported discharge and numerous studies on the natural history and epidemiology of stroke. I led the stroke programme at the Royal College of Physicians between 1995 and my retirement, developing national clinical guidelines and national stroke audit. I led the move of the the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme from the RCP to Kings. I was the National and London Stroke Director for the NHS and was closely involved in developing and implementing the reorganisation of stroke care in London and subsequently across England.