Consultant physiotherapist and clinical lead for rheumatology Will Gregory has been awarded a Chartered Society of Physiotherapy fellowship. These prestigious awards recognise individuals whose exceptional contributions have shaped the profession through leadership, innovation, advocacy and dedicated service.
With over two decades of dedication to rheumatology physiotherapy, Will has transformed clinical practice through his expertise, research, and leadership. As a consultant physiotherapist at Northern Care Alliance and vice president for health professionals at the British Society for Rheumatology, Will has been a tireless advocate for allied health professionals.
He has co-founded national networks, authored more than 100 publications, including abstracts, book chapters and peer-reviewed articles, and led the development of national guidelines and frameworks. His work has significantly improved care for patients with inflammatory arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, and connective tissue diseases, while inspiring colleagues across the profession. He is also a visiting senior lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University and an honorary lecturer at the University of Salford.
Importance of innovation
Will said: “Being awarded a CSP fellowship is an incredible honour and recognition of a career dedicated to improving patient outcomes and advancing physiotherapy nationally. From leading complex rheumatology services at Salford Royal to re-launching our CSP rheumatology professional network and contributing to UK-wide guidelines, my focus has been on creating meaningful change for our patients and for our staff.
“This fellowship highlights the importance of innovation – whether through research and service developments in axial spondyloarthritis, developing capabilities frameworks or embedding advanced practice roles to reduce diagnostic delays. It is a privilege to have influenced policy, education, and clinical standards, and I see this award as a call to continue shaping the future of our crucial profession.”
The award was announced at the CSP conference in November, where Will also gave presentations on how physiotherapists support access-to-work for those with work-limiting conditions and on screening for inflammatory back pain.
Other NCA colleagues who spoke at the conference included Deborah Antcliff (activity pacing for chronic pain), Nathan Brookes (cognitive muscular therapy), Harmeet Kaur Momi (long covid rehabilitation), and Joseph Parsons (pain coaching).