World-leading expert in hypertension returns to University of Leicester to receive honorary title
Professor Bryan Williams OBE receives his award from our Chancellor, Dame Dr Maggie Aderin DBE
The University of Leicester has honoured one of its former professors who has been instrumental in driving global changes in clinical practice for patients with high blood pressure.
Following medical school, Professor Bryan Williams OBE spent the formative years of his medical and scientific career in Leicester and the University of Colorado in the US. In Leicester, he was a junior doctor from 1984, ultimately becoming Professor of Medicine in 1996 and serving as Chairman of the University’s Division of Medicine, until 2012.
Today (Friday 17 July) he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science at a graduation ceremony held at De Montfort Hall, Leicester.
Reflecting on his award, Professor Williams said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this prestigious recognition for my services to medicine. My time at the University of Leicester inspired and shaped my medical and scientific career. It is at times like this you pause to reflect on where you have come from, the incredible support of my family and the many talented people I have had the privilege to work with in the NHS and academia throughout my career.”
Professor Williams is Chair of Medicine at University College London and Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation where he oversees one of the world's largest funding portfolios of academic cardiovascular research.
He was formerly Director of the NIHR UCL Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Centre, a leading Biomedical Research Centre in Europe, overseeing one of largest and most complex clinical trial programmes in the NHS (2012-2023). With 40 years’ experience as a frontline NHS physician, Professor Williams continues to work in the NHS as a consultant physician at UCLH, with a specialist clinical interest in hypertension in which he is one of the world’s leading authorities.
His selection as fellow of the UK Academy of Medical Sciences and the Academia Europaea is recognition that he is one of the UK and Europe's leading clinical scientists. Professor Williams was previously Chairman of the European Council on Hypertension (2016-18), president of the British Hypertension Society (2001-2003), and president of the International Society of Hypertension (2022-2024). The Clarivate listings have consistently recognised him as one of the world’s most influential clinical scientists based on citations of his work.
On behalf of the Royal College of Physicians London, to improve patient safety, Professor Williams led the development of the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) in 2012 and its update (NEWS2) and championed its widespread adoption by the NHS and globally.
He has led, or contributed to, many pivotal clinical trials in hypertension and cardiovascular medicine that have changed clinical practice. Professor Williams serves on the board of the British Heart Foundation and has been a trustee for two UK Charities; including In2Science, a charity supporting mentoring for talented young people from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, akin to his own, to increase their chances of studying science at UK’s leading universities.
Professor Williams was recently awarded the MacKenzie Medial, the highest honour from the British Cardiovascular Society for services to UK cardiology. In 2023, he was awarded the President's Medal by the Royal College of Physicians London for outstanding service to the NHS. In the King's New Years Honours 2024, he was awarded an OBE for services to medicine.
President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah, said: “It is particularly satisfying to welcome Professor Williams, a member of the University of Leicester family, back to the city to formally recognise the achievements of a truly outstanding career.
“He is at the very forefront of hypertension research, with his work leading directly to improvements in clinical practice to benefit patients around the world.
“It is also pleasing to see Professor Williams throw his weight behind a charity to support young people hoping to study science at university – he’s a true role model with a clear, deep affection for his profession.”