GDC announce new Chair and Council Member

Today the General Dental Council (GDC) has announced its new Chair, Baron Harris of Haringey (“Lord Toby Harris”) and new registrant Council Member Angie Heilmann MBE. They will both take up their new posts on 1 October 2021.

Paul Cushley, Dental Director, National Services Scotland reminds us that Scotland’s voice at the GDC and the GDC’s voice in Scotland is Gordon Matheson CBE. Since his appointment Gordon has endeavoured to enhance engagement from the GDC with all members of the dental team in Scotland and has worked tirelessly to demonstrate the relevance and value that the GDC deliver for us and no just to us. Gordon is keen to facilitate CPD events and Paul hopes that the short introduction below will encourage direct contact with Gordon.

Gordon Matheson CBE is the Head of Scottish Affairs at the General Dental Council and is a member of GDC’s strategy management team. He leads on GDC’s stakeholder engagement in Scotland with the dental professions; the Scottish Government; NHS Scotland at national and Board levels; education and training providers; Healthcare Improvement Scotland; BDA; other regulators, and so on.

In recent months, Gordon has co-delivered with a colleague a series of one-hour, online, CPD- verified training sessions on issues including the handling of low-level concerns, education quality assurance during the pandemic, and regulatory reform; forthcoming sessions are likely to address the question of professionalism; the review of scope of practice; and equality, discrimination and inclusion within dentistry. Please email Gordon if these sessions are of interest and please note that topics can be customised.

Gordon has a career background in local government and the third sector; having managed the policy, campaigns and government affairs functions in Scotland of RNIB and Cancer Research UK; and served as an elected member of Glasgow City Council for 17 years, including as Leader of the Council during the acclaimed 2014 Commonwealth Games. Gordon is a graduate of Glasgow and Strathclyde universities; in 2016 was appointed a visiting/honorary professor at Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian universities; and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Email: gmatheson@gdc-uk.org