Ian Franklin was a NHS doctor for 23 years including 12 years as consultant vascular surgeon at Imperial College NHS Trust performing a full range of arterial, venous and emergency vascular surgery. He is now a full-time private venous specialist. He introduced key minimally invasive treatments to the NHS and has written numerous scientific papers, book chapters and a surgical textbook. He trains other specialists in modern vein techniques all over the world and from 2008 to 2018 was the programme director of the International Charing Cross Venous Course held in London every April. He is former council member of the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland and chaired the Circulation Foundation for four years. He is past President of the Royal Society of Medicine Venous Forum and still serves on the RSMVF council.