King’s surgeon made Professor of Practice

29 April 2026 - Congratulations to Mr Robert Bentley, Consultant in Craniofacial and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Trust, on being made a Professor of Practice by King’s College London

Rob has worked at the Trust for over 26 years, and is a distinguished Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, with a long-standing career in craniofacial surgery, major trauma, and specialist surgical education.

He has played a central role in developing and advancing the specialties of craniofacial surgery and oral and maxillofacial surgery, including here at King’s, and has contributed to clinical innovation and service development within the specialty.

His contributions to the specialty have been recognised previously with the Down Surgical Prize, the highest honour awarded by the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, for which he also is a Past President.

Beyond his clinical work, Rob has had a significant impact on King’s, having played a central role in establishing King’s as a Major Trauma Centre in 2010, and driving improvements in trauma care across the UK.

He is the National Clinical Director for Major Trauma with NHS England, and the National Clinical Chair for the specialised commissioning Trauma National Programme of Care.

Alongside these roles, he has contributed to surgical training through his work as Training Programme Director for the Pan London Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Deanery, and internationally through the AO Educational Foundation.

Rob said: “ I am honoured to accept this appointment, which recognises my contribution in developing the specialties of Craniofacial Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Major Trauma at King’s. It is particularly pleasing as it reflects the 26 years of great teamwork and support from so many colleagues without whose belief and commitment it would not have happened. I have had many roles in King’s, nationally and internationally, but I will always view King’s as “home”, and its special staff as family, who have made it a truly special place for me since I joined the Trust.”

Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive at the Trust, added: “Huge congratulations to Rob for this superb achievement, which is due reward for the enormous commitment he has shown to his speciality, and King’s, over many years. Rob is an excellent example of how colleagues at the Trust, and the teams they work within, consistently push the boundaries for the benefit of patients, and the communities we serve.”