Dr Sarah Thornton elected Vice-President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists

The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) is pleased to announce that Dr Sarah Thornton has been elected as a Vice-President of the College.  

Dr Thornton joins Dr Chris Carey, who has been re-elected for a second one-year term, as one of the College’s two Vice-Presidents. Dr Clare Shannon has also been re-appointed unopposed as President and will serve a second term.   

All terms of office begin on 10 September 2025, at which point Dr Toni Brunning will step down as Vice-President, having chosen not to seek re-election. We extend our sincere thanks to Dr Brunning for her contribution during her term in office.   

The President and Vice-Presidents are elected or re-appointed annually from among elected Council Members, in accordance with the process set out in the College Regulations. 

Dr Sarah Thornton has served on Council since 2022 and is a consultant anaesthetist at Bolton Hospital Foundation Trust. Throughout her career, Sarah has been a strong and effective advocate for education and training, having previously served as a College Tutor, Training Programme Director and Head of School.  

Since being elected to Council, Sarah has made a significant contribution to the College. She is Chair of our Education, Training and Examinations Board and Nominations Committee and Co-Chair of our Training, Curriculum and Assessment Committee. She also represents the College on the Working Party for Sexual Misconduct in Surgery.  

Dr Sarah Thornton said:

“I’m absolutely delighted to have been given this opportunity to serve the membership of the RCoA. I will bring positivity, enthusiasm and hard work to enacting the College’s vision for the future of our specialty.”