Prof Connell graduated in Medicine from the University of Glasgow in 1977 and MD in 1986. Following this, he held clinical research/clinical scientists posts in Melbourne and Glasgow. He has published more than 250 peer-reviewed papers on aspects of adrenal function and cardiovascular disease. From 2000–2008 he held Clinical Director posts in Acute Medicine in West and North Glasgow and was Senior Clinical Endocrinologist in the Western Infirmary in Glasgow, with a major interest in disorders of the adrenal gland. In 2009, he was appointed to the post of Dean of Medicine at the School of Medicine, University of Dundee and became Vice Principal for Research at the University and Head of the College of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing in January 2012. He was elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 1999, and was a member of its Council from 2006–9, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2002, where he is currently Fellowship Secretary. He chairs the Education and Training Advisory Board for the General Medical council; and is Vice Chair of the British Heart Foundation Programme Grants and Chairs committee. Prof Connell was the former Chair of NHS Tayside Board.