A PROFESSOR has been made an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to clinical leadership.

Professor Tony Young received the honour as the director of medical innovation at Anglia Ruskin University, after joining Anglia Ruskin in 2010, as well as being a consultant urological surgeon at Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

He was appointed as the first ever National Clinical Director for Innovation for the NHS in England in 2014 and went on to found the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme in 2015.

During his time at Anglia Ruskin, Professor Young has been instrumental in driving support for the creation of the MedBic Business Innovation Centre on Anglia Ruskin’s Chelmsford campus, and a new innovation centre in Harlow.

Mr Young said: “When I started at Anglia Ruskin University I never imagined that my country would recognise the work I do as notable with such an award.

“I feel very honoured and humbled.

“These things are a recognition of the great teams I work with as much as a recognition of any individual.

“Anglia Ruskin University has not only supported me to grow and develop as a professional, but have driven the healthcare innovation and enterprise agenda nationally.

“They are founding partners of the NHS England Clinical Entrepreneur programme, which has grown to become the world’s largest entrepreneurial training programme in health and we should be very proud of that.

“This award is also a great acknowledgement that innovation and entrepreneurship can help us address some of the challenges we face in healthcare and Anglia Ruskin is at the vanguard.”

Mr Young was also praised by his colleagues for the well deserved acknowledgement.

Professor Roderick Watkins, Acting Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin, said: “We are very proud to have Tony here at Anglia Ruskin.

“He is absolutely dedicated to improving the lives of patients through the use of pioneering medical technology, and his determination and leadership are having a significant impact across the NHS and beyond.

“His OBE is a reflection of his success as both a leader and a clinician and it is fantastic opportunity for our medical students to be able to work with him and be inspired to become the medical entrepreneurs of the future.”

Professor Young will collect his award in person from the Royal family in the coming months.