Duncan Rudkin was appointed GDC chief executive and registrar in June 2006. Since then he has led the GDC staff team through the opening of a new Dental Care Professionals Register, the implementation of significant changes to the GDC’s fitness to practise procedures and the introduction of continuing professional development for the dental team.

Duncan joined the GDC in 1998 as Director of Legal Services, and was tasked with setting up the GDC’s first in-house legal department. He has also held other senior management roles at the GDC prior to his appointment as Chief Executive, including Director of Professional Standards, Deputy Chief Executive and Acting Chief Executive.

Speaking of his decision, Duncan Rudkin, said: “I would like to thank the members and staff of the GDC for their encouragement and support during my time at the Council, particularly during the last three years as Chief Executive. This new post with a new regulatory body presents a new and exciting opportunity for me and I look forward to working to develop a positive role for the new regulator both as a champion for quality and standards in the professions and an organisation that puts patients and the public at the centre of its work”.