Tim Beacon

Tim's early years were marked by extensive travel and teaching outdoor pursuits overseas. Following many adventures, he trained as an Operating Department Practitioner in his early twenties and went on to become an Assistant Training Coordinator for the NW Thames Health Authority. During this time, Tim founded an outdoor adventure training company, The Outdoor Experience, offering personal development courses, primarily aimed at healthcare staff. These courses gained approval from Royal Colleges and were incorporated into degree programmes, with one even featured as part of an ITV series on the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

Tim has spent 13 years in the Orthopaedic Medical Devices industry, specialising in trauma, spinal surgery, and joint replacement. He is also an ambassador for the Primary Trauma Care Foundation, where he has directed numerous programmes and contributed to several research initiatives. Two of his recent papers, co-authored by Tim, focus on laparoscopic surgery, and affordable inhaled medicines for the LMIC environment.

Tim’s career has been wide ranging; he has lectured at a university level in healthcare and has also been a civilian instructor on the UK Special Forces Patrol Medical Course, being the only civilian to have ever completed the course. This unique experience has proven invaluable in the work of Med Aid. He holds a post-graduate diploma in Travel Health from Glasgow Medical School; his thesis, ‘What Makes a Good Expedition Medic’, is available for reference. Tim is also the author of The Gap Year Handbook: An Essential Guide to Adventure Travel (which you can download for free here) and has spoken on the University of Oxford's ‘Anaesthesia for Developing Countries’ course.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions to healthcare in the developing world, disaster relief, and war zone environments, Tim was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from City, University of London. This award acknowledged his role as an inspiration and excellent role model to students, as well as his work as an ambassador for the University.

A regular speaker on BBC radio, Tim has lectured internationally at various conferences and institutions on a wide range of healthcare topics and has served as a visiting examiner for degrees and master’s programmes worldwide.

In his spare time, Tim enjoys playing guitar in the Church Band, cycling, and walking the family dog. He also leads a week-long children's camp for Mid Wessex Christian Camps. Tim is also a Trustee of a Christian bookshop, the Oasis Christian Centre in Romsey, and served as Chair of Governors for nine years at his local lower school.