Richard Bryant is an internationally renowned authority in the field of mental health following traumatic events. Amongst his many world‐first achievements, Bryant’s development of assessment tools for identifying recently traumatized people who may subsequently develop PTSD has become the international gold standard in the field. Moreover, he was subsequently tasked with overseeing the new diagnostic guidelines for ‘acute stress disorder’ in the 2013 edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic system (DSM‐5).  His outstanding profile is evidenced by prestigious research fellowships, senior executive roles in international professional organisations and Fellowship of the ASSA. He would be an influential Academy member.