John Wilding trained in medicine in Southampton and the Hammersmith Hospital, London, where he also undertook three years laboratory-based research into the neurobiology of obesity and diabetes. He currently works at the University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool and was appointed Professor of Medicine in 2005. He leads a clinical research group working in the field of Obesity, Diabetes and Endocrinology at the University of Liverpool, UK. Professor Wilding is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.

His areas of clinical interest and expertise include type 2 diabetes and obesity where the focus of his research team centres on developing new treatments and strategies to reduce the burden of diabetes and obesity-related disease.

Professor Wilding has published over 350 original papers, chapters and review articles (ORCID ID 0000-0003-2839-8404; H index 62), which include clinical trials in diabetes and obesity, adipocyte biology and studies of metabolism. His teaching and assessment experience include being Systems Lead for years 1 and 2 for the MBChB Endocrinology at the University of Liverpool and a Founding Fellow of the World Obesity Federation Strategic Centre for Obesity Professional Education (SCOPE). He has supervised 25 higher degrees (Masters, PhDs and MDs, etc.).

Professor Wilding is Chair of the NIHR National Clinical Research Network Metabolic and Endocrine Specialty Group, a member of the RCP Advisory Group on Nutrition, Weight and Health and President of the World Obesity Federation.