Sidney Sussex College Cambridge has elected Corpus alumnus Professor Martin Burton MA DM Oxon, FRCS (Oto), FRCS-ORL as its 28th Master. Martin will take up the role from September 2023.

Martin read Medicine at Corpus and subsequently trained in Oxford and Bristol. He has been an NHS clinician for over 30 years and is currently Professor of Otolaryngology in the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences at the University of Oxford, Fellow in Clinical Medicine at Balliol College Oxford, and Vice-Master (Executive) at Balliol College.

"I am really looking forward to coming back to Cambridge. It is the place that gave this 18 year-old northern state-school boy his break, and I have always been grateful for that. I have very fond memories of my time at Corpus, and am still in touch with several of my contemporaries."  - Professor Martin Burton (m1977)

Martin is Director of Cochrane UK (and previously Co-Chair of The Cochrane Collaboration) and has served on a large number of boards and panels for organisations including National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), the Department of Health and Social Care, and the Cabinet Office. His clinical practice is otological — particularly hearing loss, middle ear surgery, tinnitus and balance disorders. He is interested in the application of evidence- (and wisdom-) based medicine in medicine in general and otolaryngology in particular.

The outgoing Master of Sidney Sussex, Professor Richard Penty, said: 

"I congratulate Martin Burton on his election as the next Master of this wonderful College. The College community is one of its great strengths and I’m sure Martin and his family will receive a very warm welcome from our Fellows, Students, Staff and Alumni. I wish Martin every success in leading the College to even greater successes."

Warmest congratulations to Martin on this appointment. We look forward to welcoming Martin and his wife Sarah back to Cambridge.