Philip Quirke is Professor of Pathology at the University of Leeds. His work on disease-free survival and the quality of treatment of colorectal carcinoma has changed surgical practice and significantly improved survival in this disease. He has led the field in the development of virtual histopathology and also in the development of automated molecular methods for the support of large colorectal cancer clinical trials. He has had an important impact on the training, mentorship and career progression of pathologists and surgeons alike. His inspirational leadership in promoting multidisciplinary excellence in the treatment of colorectal cancer have led to two national training programmes and his department in Leeds is a beacon for the training of young academic pathologists.