Ian Monypenny was the surgical director of Breast Test Wales at its initiation, created following the Forrest Report to introduce breast screening to south Wales. He was also appointed as a general surgeon to the Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, although, as he developed his interest in oncoplastic surgery, he later became a full-time breast surgeon. Ian was born in Sheffield, the son of Edwin Richard Monypenny, a consultant radiotherapist, and Isabelle Guthrie Monypenny née Little, a consultant anaesthetist. He was educated at Rugby School and Pembroke College, Cambridge, but did his clinical training at St Thomas’ Hospital. It was while he was still a student that he met Nicola Tisdall, a nurse, who later became his wife. His surgical training was in Nottingham, Guildford and Birmingham, where he was a senior registrar. He particularly valued the training and support he received from Frank Ashton and Geoffrey Oates. His interest in breast screening was stimulated by Patrick ‘Paddy’ Boulter while he was in Guildford. During his training he acquired an MChir from Cambridge University for his work on ‘Laboratory and clinical factors in the prognosis of early breast cancer’. Ian was appointed at the inception of Breast Test Wales in 1980. As the clinical lead, he was instrumental in the development of multidisciplinary breast screening teams and ensured that the high standards of radiology and surgery required for an effective screening programme were practised throughout Wales. He was the Wales screening quality assurance surgeon for over 20 years and remained committed to Breast Test Wales’s success until his retirement. Ian was a careful and meticulous surgeon who adapted well to the rapidly changing scenario that appertained during his career. He embraced laparoscopic surgery and the developing sub-specialty of oncoplastic surgery, building on the pioneering work of Les Hughes. He regularly attended courses and brought new skills to Cardiff. He was active at a local and national level, entering many of his patients into clinical trials and the planning of cancer services. He was chairman of the Breast Cancer Outcomes Group, an active member of the British Breast Group, for which he was membership secretary, and the British Association of Surgical Oncology. He was an asset in analysing large data sets and in helping to develop guidelines in the treatment of breast cancer. His skills in this regard led to his involvement in European certification. In the latter part of his career the breast work load became so heavy that he gave up the general surgery component of his practice so that he could concentrate on that. Ian was an excellent trainer, who inspired a generation of breast surgeons and specialist nurses, to lead services and improve the treatment of breast cancer. After retirement, he enjoyed using his vast experience to work with the European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists, visiting breast units across Europe to audit and certify them through the breast centres certification programme. Ian was a quiet and rather private man who was also good company. His interests lay in maintaining his home and spending time with his family. He delighted in maintaining his old mini, adapting it to his own specification. In retirement he enjoyed his garden with its views over the Vale of Glamorgan and became involved in the running of the local church. He enjoyed travel and skiing and for many years had a holiday home in west Wales, where he enjoyed sailing. His final years were marred by deteriorating health, which he bore with a steely determination to make the best of things and was involved in clinical trials. He died on 17 May 2025 at the age of 75. Ian is survived by Nicky, two children: Eleanor, a teaching assistant and Michael, a palliative care nurse, and two grandchildren, James and Monty.