As an accomplished amateur thespian, Julian Hoad is well used to taking on daunting new roles. So it is unlikely that this Sussex practitioner will be unnerved by the prospect of becoming the next President of the BSAVA this month. And while he won’t have the opportunity for intensive rehearsals for his every public appearance – or have a prompt to give him a nudge should he forget his lines – he will have two important assets that will help prepare him for his new responsibilities. John Bonner reports…