Fellows of the Academy will wish to join me in welcoming our new President, Professor Sir John Tooke PMedSci, who took over the reins of the Academy following the Annual General Meeting on 24 November 2011.

John has already engaged with Fellows over the development of a new five-year strategy for the Academy. Many of you have accepted his invitation to respond to our strategy questionnaire and this is very much appreciated. An analysis of your responses will go to the Officers meeting in January and to Council in February with time to consider them properly before the strategy is launched in April.

As John Tooke stepped up to the Presidency on 24 November, so Professor Sir John Bell stepped down. This marked the end of a Presidency of extraordinary growth and development, during which the Academy gained its own premises, and became a body to be consulted, and a voice to be heard in political circles, influencing policy to improve health and wealth. Our thanks go to John Bell and we look forward to the Presidency of John Tooke.

As this year draws to a close, may I thank all those Fellows who have contributed so much in so many ways to the work of the Academy in the past year, and wish everyone a healthy and happy New Year.