Experienced leader brings exciting vision for trusted,
collaborative regulation
The General Dental Council (GDC) today announced the appointment
of Dr Helen Phillips as its new Chair from 1 October 2025,
following the completion of Lord Toby Harris's four-year term in
September 2025.
Dr Phillips brings a wealth of senior experience across a 30-year
career in sectors including insurance, legal, social care and
further education.
A former senior environmental regulator, Dr Phillips has held
numerous non-executive roles since 2015. With expertise in
professional standards, she currently chairs the Chartered
Insurance Institute and NHS Professionals, a workforce partner to
the NHS, putting thousands of highly skilled healthcare
professionals into NHS Trusts and other places to care.
Dr Phillips has also chaired the Legal Services Board and
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, where she
served during the pandemic, and is an independent Commissioner at
the Gambling Commission. On her new role at the UK's regulator of
more than 125,000 dental professionals, she outlined her vision
for upstream regulation and supporting the dental professions to
remain competent and confident throughout their careers:
"My ambition is that dental care professionals feel a sense of
pride – never fear – in being regulated by a trusted, effective,
proportionate regulator that embodies our values of being
respectful, transparent, inclusive and purposeful."
Dr Phillips emphasised her commitment to working with the dental
professions to address systemic challenges: "We must work
collaboratively with the dental sector to make meaningful
progress in addressing health inequalities and the growing
problem of equitable access to dental services for all.”
Her appointment comes as the GDC consults on its new Corporate
Strategy 2026-2028, which focuses on building trust with the
profession, moving away from a climate of fear, and adopting more
supportive approaches to regulation that prioritise learning and
professional development over punitive measures.
Lord Toby Harris, the outgoing Chair, welcomed the appointment:
"I am delighted that the GDC has secured the services of such an
outstanding leader as Dr Helen Phillips. She has exceptional
experience in regulation across multiple sectors, combined with
her deep understanding of healthcare challenges. I know her
knowledge and expertise will ensure we continue building trust
with the professions."
Dr Phillips has a BSc in Zoology and a PhD in Environmental
Science from University College Dublin. She has previously served
as a Board Director of Yorkshire Water and chair of Loop Customer
Management Ltd, a Kelda Group subsidiary.
Prior to her non-executive career, she served as founding Chief
Executive of Natural England and Director for Wales of the
Environment Agency.
Dr Phillips added: "I look forward to working with my fellow
Council Members, the Chief Executive and the whole GDC team as we
gear up to deliver the Corporate Strategy, ensuring we remain an
effective regulator that puts public protection at its heart
while empowering dental professionals to flourish."
The appointment follows the Privy Council's approval, with Dr
Phillips set to take up the role in October 2025.
