Mike English has established an outstanding research career in international child health while continuing to work as a paediatrician. He made major contributions to the understanding and management of paediatric and neonatal diseases. Over the last 7 years he has built up an outstanding group of 22 young Kenyan researchers. He created the Emergency Triage, Assessment and Treatment plus Admission Care for health workers. Mike has forged strong links with the Kenyan government and international collaborators. His work has helped inform national and international thinking, created a demand for new research and promoted the translation of research findings into public health policy and practice.