Niall Dickson

Niall joined the GMC from The King's Fund, the leading independent think tank and development organisation, where he was Chief Executive for six years (2004-2009).

He began his career in teaching before taking up posts in national voluntary organisations involved with older people. He was Editor of Therapy Weekly for the allied health professions and then of Nursing Times.

He moved to the BBC in 1988 as Health Correspondent, became Chief Social Affairs Correspondent and then, in 1995, Social Affairs Editor, focusing mainly on Radio 4's Today programme and the Ten O'clock News on BBC 1.

Niall is a member of the Department of Health's National Quality Board and End of Life Care Implementation Advisory Board.

He is the Chairman of the Leeds Castle Foundation. His honorary awards include being a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and as Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners. During Niall’s four years as Chief Executive, the GMC has pursued a programme of radical reform focused on patient safety – this has included the introduction of regular checks on all doctors practising in the UK (Revalidation), establishing an autonomous adjudication service, taking on responsibility for postgraduate medical education and taking forward major changes in the way it supports employers and front line clinicians. Niall joined the GMC from The King’s Fund, which, under his leadership, re-ignited the debate over social care funding, pioneered research into long term conditions and played a key role in highlighting the need to ensure dignity and compassion in hospital care. His early career included work for Age Concern England before becoming Editor of Therapy Weekly for the allied health professions and then of Nursing Times. He worked as a correspondent for the BBC for 16 years, from 1995 as Social Affairs Editor broadcasting on the Ten O’clock News and the Today programme on Radio 4. Niall is the Chairman of the Leeds Castle Foundation. He is an honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of General Practitioners.