New GDC Chair and Council Members take office

Dr Helen Phillips has officially started her role as Chair of the General Dental Council (GDC) today (1 October), bringing a wealth of senior experience across a 30-year career in sectors including insurance, legal, social care and further education. 

Helen will be joined by Dr Bill Gunnyeon CBE and Mike Driver CB who both commenced four-year terms today as lay Council members.

Bill and Mike succeed Sheila Kumar and Anne Heal, who have concluded 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. 

Mike has been appointed as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, while Angie Heilmann MBE has been appointed as Chair of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee. 

Bill has been appointed as a Committee Member of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee and the Finance and Performance Committee.

In addition, Simon Morrow has been reappointed as the Senior Independent Council Member and today commences his third term for one year and Timea Milovecz has been reappointed as a Council Member, today starting her second term for four years.

Reshard Auladin has also joined the Remuneration and Nomination Committee as a Committee Member and will remain a Committee Member of the Finance and Performance Committee. 

Dr Helen Phillips, Chair of the GDC, said:  

"I would like to thank my predecessor Lord Toby Harris for his leadership and dedication to the GDC during his time as Chair, and I am pleased to welcome new Council Members and new Committee Chairs.

“Strong governance through our Council Committees is essential in providing assurance on our performance, finances, risks and remuneration. Council’s strength is in our broad range of expertise and skills, delivering on our core responsibilities and ambitions for the future, as we look ahead to the publication of the new Corporate Strategy.”