Dear Stephen, the mark of an individual is what they leave behind. The role of an Editor is to take responsibility for the strategy of the publication and the values that it stands for. During your period in post society, the profession and the journal have all changed and you have managed, with aplomb, not only to ensure that the journal remains germane but that it has grown in relevance. Furthermore, alongside this, there is now a suite of publications and a team which you have nurtured and supported. That in itself is remarkable.

But the part you have played is even more important. With a continual set of editorials that have tried to inform the readership of the key issues which need attention, the readership remains informed. While politicians may have shied away from the continual battle to address shortcomings in the delivery of care, you have been bold enough to question their approaches and offer possible solutions without preaching.

Add to the above, a key feature of successful management is sustainability. The elements are in place but whoever follows you will have the legacy you created to work with. That said, my beloved football team from Manchester remains somewhat disjointed more than ten years after the departure of a remarkable manager.

Not all the readers will be aware of your earlier work in writing for a number of comedy shows. Among those who benefited from your thinking was the late Ronnie Barker. His comment that ‘The marvellous thing about a joke with a double meaning is that it can only mean one thing'. What you leave behind is a set of achievements that all of us would be proud of.

With all best wishes.