In the first conversation I ever had with Dr Peter Baxter, we talked at length about the future of Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. It was on a fine morning in Sicily in 2003; Peter had just succeeded Martin Bax as Senior Editor of the Journal. In retrospect, this was a premonitory introduction to the collaboration and friendship we were to gradually develop over the years. I discovered then how attentive he is to others, how dedicated, knowledgeable, earnest, generous, and humble. Now Peter has elected to stand down as our Editor in Chief. As he does so, we can only be grateful to him for the contributions he has made to so many aspects of the work of Mac Keith Press. How does one gauge the quality of an Editor in Chief? Is the iconic impact factor a good proxy? I don't think so. Yet Peter's tireless efforts to continuously improve the editorial process for both authors and reviewers have indeed resulted in bringing the number of citations to articles published in the Journal to peaks never attained before, and DMCN's current impact factor has set a new record. A more comprehensive reflection of the success of Peter as Editor in Chief is DMCN itself – ‘a much-loved journal’, as Lewis Rosenbloom likes to say. In order to continue the unique legacy of Ronnie Mac Keith and Martin Bax, Peter has developed a very personal approach to working with authors, reviewers, and staff. This has led not only to clarification and efficiency of processes related to submitting articles, and indeed the editorial process itself, but to enhancing a community – a very special community of readers and authors, researchers and health professionals, reviewers, editors, and administrative staff all committed to improving the lives of children with neurological conditions and disabilities. All the while, this has been strengthened by Peter's keen perspective on both paediatric neurology and neurodisability. Under Peter's guidance, the review process and the scientific credentials of the Journal have further improved. The exceptional editorial partnership he developed with Hilary Hart set up new foundations for the Journal. From there, Peter has widened the expert reviewer base and international reach of DMCN. He introduced a team of outstanding statistical reviewers for all papers we accept that have statistical content. He also introduced a team of associate editors, which includes therapists, and the North American editor. He led the Journal through successful transition to online reviewing, thereby speeding up the review process. More generally, he succeeded in augmenting communication with the readership through new media, including online publication alongside the print issues, and enhancing published articles through invited commentaries, featured podcasts, and virtual issues around a theme. Peter has a remarkable capacity to make and maintain relationships at a global level with both individuals and organizations, and to do so with generosity, diplomacy, and humour. He has been a true leader. He has achieved all of this whilst being extensively involved as a paediatric neurologist in the UK and with national and international professional child neurology and neurodisability organizations. The role of an editor is tough and stressful (at times). But Peter is robust at shouldering difficult issues, especially rebuttals, handling them fairly, efficiently and charmingly – not an easy task. And like many readers of DMCN, I just love the stimulating editorials that he writes. Peter is a wonderful colleague. The editorial model that he has provided will remain an invaluable asset to Mac Keith Press. Twelve years after our Sicilian conversation, I realize all the more that he is a hard act to follow.