eGDCGDC appoints new Council Members
We have appointed two new Council Members, who will take office on 1 October 2025.
Following an open and competitive recruitment process, Bill Gunnyeon and Mike Driver have been appointed as lay Council Members, both commencing four-year terms.
Bill Gunnyeon brings extensive healthcare regulation and governance experience. An experienced non-executive director, his previous roles have included President of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, Lay Governor at Glasgow Caledonian University, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, and most recently, Chair of the General Osteopathic Council.
A Medicine graduate from the University of Dundee who specialised in occupational health, as Chief Medical Adviser and Chief Scientist at the Department for Work and Pensions he led the development and implementation of the UK government's health and work strategy. Awarded a CBE in 2009, Bill holds Fellowships of multiple Royal Colleges.
Mike Driver brings extensive experience in government finance and senior leadership. His Civil Service career started at the Department of Health and Social Security, before progressing through operational delivery, regional management, and policy roles.
As Head of the Government Finance Function (GFF) at HM Treasury, he focused on strengthening its role across government. From August 2020, he spent six months as the Interim Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, before his appointment as the Senior Responsible Officer for the Borders and Managed Quarantine Programme at the Department of Health and Social Care.
A chartered public finance accountant and former President of CIPFA, Mike was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 2018.
Bill and Mike (pictured, l-r) will succeed Sheila Kumar and Anne Heal who will conclude their maximum eight-year terms as lay Council Members. Sheila chaired the Audit and Risk Committee, while Anne was Chair of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee.
Our outgoing Chair, Lord Toby Harris, said: “I would like to thank Anne and Sheila for their significant contribution to the Council’s success and the important roles they have played in helping to shape how the professions are regulated.”
Reappointments
We have reappointed Simon Morrow and Timea Milovecz as Council Members for additional terms.
Simon Morrow will commence his third term for one year. A University of Glasgow alumnus, he is an experienced general dental practitioner who was previously a practice owner and clinical director for 22 years. He also serves as an inspector and advisor for a number of health boards in Scotland, has a special interest in sedation, and is actively involved in sedation training and education.
Timea Milovecz will commence her second term on 1 October 2025 for four years. Initially registered as both a dental nurse and dental hygienist, Timea is currently a dental inspector for the Care Quality Commission in London and the East of England. Her understanding of dental regulation stems from over a decade as a Member of the GDC's Fitness to Practise panel and in private practice.
Leadership Changes
Dr Helen Phillips has been appointed as our new Chair from 1 October 2025, bringing a wealth of senior experience across a 30-year career in sectors including insurance, legal, social care and further education.