Andrew Holmes is distinguished for his contributions to the synthesis of biologically important natural products and for pioneering work on semiconducting conjugated polymers. His materials chemistry research interests have been in the areas of flat panel displays, photovoltaics, field effect transistors, and supercritical carbon dioxide as a benign solvent. In the area of bioactive molecules he has contributed to the use of pericyclic reactions in the synthesis of medium ring ethers, lactones and alkaloids and to the discovery of key proteins implicated in downstream intracellular signalling processes. He was the second most highly cited UK physical scientist of the decade.