Professor Adam Croft, former Kennedy Trust Senior Research Fellow, has been appointed Norman Collisson Professor of Musculoskeletal Science at the University of Oxford. He will take up the role in January 2027.

Professor Croft is currently Professor of Translational Rheumatology and Arthritis UK Chair of Rheumatology at the University of Birmingham where he leads the Department of Inflammation and Ageing. He is an Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals and University Hospital of Birmingham NHS Trusts and is the Versus Arthritis Chair of Rheumatology. His research group develop immunotherapeutic approaches for immune-mediated rheumatic and chronic inflammatory diseases, with a particular interest in intercepting the pathogenic role of fibroblasts in these illnesses to achieve sustained drug-free remission and tissue restoration. Professor Croft is also the project lead for the new MRC Centre of Excellence (CoRE) in Restorative Immunology, for which the Trust is a strategic funding partner.

As Norman Collisson Professor, Adam will provide leadership in academic rheumatology, with a particular focus on translational research and inflammatory arthritis. A key part of the role will be translating new discoveries into early phase and late phase trials by working across the Botnar and Kennedy Institutes.

Dr Stephen Simpson, CEO of the Kennedy Trust said:

“We are delighted by Adam’s appointment as Norman Collisson Professor. The Trust have worked closely with Adam for a number of years and are particularly proud of his achievements since his Senior Research Fellowship. This appointment will enrich translational and experimental medicine at Oxford and the Kennedy Institute, while maintaining Adam’s excellent links with Birmingham and other centres.”