I am a consultant Dermatologist and Honorary Professor of Dermatology at The University of Birmingham. I founded what is now the largest NHS Department of Dermatology in the Midlands in 1998, which together with my colleagues provides a broad sphere of expertise in our subject. I am a general dermatologist with experience of inflammatory skin disease, and skin cancer over the last 35 years, and a special interest in genetic skin disease, especially epidermolysis bullosa, dating from my 3 years at The Institute of Dermatology in London. I have a background of 6 years of general medicine, in addition to my dermatology training, which encompassed 10 years of substantive appointments, including 3 years studying for my MD thesis at St Johns Hospital for Diseases of the Skin and The Institute of Dermatology.