Max McCormick, a consultant ENT surgeon at the Royal Liverpool, Arrowe Park and Alder Hey hospitals, was a larger-than-life, charismatic character, much esteemed by the entire UK ENT community. He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to George McCormick, a ship’s engineer, and Jessie McCormick née Rintoul and spent his childhood and school years there before heading to Liverpool in 1968 to begin his medical training. Arriving during a period when the city was alive with cultural change and musical innovation, he quickly embraced Liverpool as his adopted home. During his student years he met Siobhan O’Connor, who would become his lifelong partner. As their family grew, Max’s professional journey took them to Oxford and Cape Town, before they settled once again in Liverpool. By 1985 he had been appointed as a consultant at both the Royal Liverpool and Arrowe Park hospitals, later extending his practice to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. His natural ease with people – patients, colleagues and particularly younger trainees – made him a widely admired clinician and mentor. Many who trained under him went on to shape the future of the specialty. One of Max’s early contributions to Liverpool’s ENT training culture was the creation of informal evening journal gatherings – affectionately known as ‘at homes’. Hosted in rotation by trainees and consultants, these sessions welcomed partners and children, fostering a supportive network long before formalised teaching structures were common. The friendships forged at these gatherings have endured for decades. Clinically, Max combined broad surgical skill with areas of specialist interest. He became particularly known for his expertise in stapedectomy and received referrals from across the North of England. He founded Liverpool’s first dedicated voice clinic and developed strong interests in facial palsy rehabilitation and persistent facial pain. Leadership came naturally to Max. He held numerous presidencies throughout his career, beginning as an undergraduate leading the Liverpool Medical Students’ Society and later serving as president of the laryngology and rhinology section of the Royal Society of Medicine, the Liverpool Medical Institution and the North of England Otolaryngological Society. He also headed the local organisation for the 2009 British Academic Conference in Otolaryngology, remembered as an outstanding meeting. Outside medicine, Max relished good company. He was a gifted storyteller, fond of lively conversation, good food and wine, and he enjoyed many happy hours on the fairways as a member of the Royal Liverpool Golf Club. His warm humour and sociable nature made him a cherished presence wherever he went. Max remained committed to caring for his patients throughout his later years. It was a source of sorrow – shared by those he treated – that progressive illness eventually limited his mobility and curtailed his clinical work. He died aged 74 on 26 July 2024 and was survived by his wife Siobhan and their family, children Austin, Geoff, Abigail and Genevieve, and seven grandchildren. Max leaves behind not only his professional legacy but also the memory of a generous, spirited and steadfast colleague who will be deeply missed.