Today, we remember with gratitude and admiration, our founding patron Sir Kenneth Calman who passed away on 21 July 2025. He was a leading figure in public health and medical education, whose death marks the end of a remarkable era of leadership.
Born in Glasgow in 1941, Sir Kenneth dedicated his life to helping others through medicine, learning, and public service. A physician by training, he became one of the UK’s most respected public health figures.
As Chief Medical Officer for Scotland (1989–1991) and later for England (1991–1997), Sir Kenneth provided guidance during challenging times, shaping health responses to emerging crises and laying the groundwork for more robust public health infrastructure.
He also made a lasting impact in education, serving as Vice Chancellor and Warden of Durham University from 1998 to 2006, where he was known for his care for students and passion for research.
Knighted in 1996 for his services to medicine and public health, Sir Kenneth brought together his sharp intellect and warmth. He loved the arts and humanities, and his writing reminded us that healthcare is about compassion as much as science.
I’m particularly grateful that Sir Kenneth supported me when the charity was founded and showed his confidence by becoming a patron and thereby lending us his name and reputation. The respect in which he was held by the medical community gave us a status which it would otherwise have been very hard to achieve.
Sir Kenneth Calman will be remembered for his wisdom, and deep humanity. His legacy lives on in the many lives he improved, the institutions he shaped, and the generations of leaders he inspired.
We're especially grateful for the role he played in shaping Target Ovarian Cancer as our founding patron.
