Elections hub
Over the coming months, you have the opportunity to vote in key elections for your Vice-Presidents, Council and FDS Board.
Your representatives play a vital role in shaping the leadership and direction of the College. Your participation is essential – by casting your vote, you ensure our leadership reflects the diversity, excellence and values that define your organisation.
Vice-Presidents' election
Eligible Members and Fellows, for the first time in our history, are electing two Vice‑Presidents. They will join Professor Frank Smith, who will become Senior Vice‑President.
In line with new rules designed to address the longstanding underrepresentation of women in surgery, at least one of the elected Vice‑Presidents must be a woman. This development represents an important step in strengthening leadership and representation within your College. These changes reflect direct feedback from members and the recommendations of Baroness Helena Kennedy KC’s independent review, ensuring broader representation and a stronger collective voice for the profession.
The Vice‑Presidents play a central role in College leadership. They support the President to deliver strategic priorities, lead key projects, are members of the Trustee Board and act as your visible representatives in the media and in government meetings.
Cast your vote in the Vice-Presidents' election.
Council and FDS Board elections
Voting is now open for Council and FDS Board. Eligible members will have received an email from our independent partners, Civica Election Services, containing a unique voting link. This link will take you to the CES voting platform, where you can cast your vote and view information about the candidates.
Voting will remain open until 9 April.
Council and Board members are your representatives. They shape the direction of the College and influence issues that matter to surgeons across the profession. By voting, you help ensure its leadership reflects what matters most to members.
Cast your vote in Council and FDS Board elections.
Council election timeline
|
7 January 2026 |
Member nominations open |
|
4 February 2026 |
Member nominations close |
|
19 February 2026 |
Voting opens |
|
9 April 2026 |
Voting closes |
|
16 April 2026 |
Council members are announced |
FDS Board election timeline
|
7 January 2026 |
Nominations open |
|
4 February 2026 |
Nominations close |
|
19 February 2026 |
Voting opens |
|
9 April 2026 |
Voting closes |
|
16 April 2026 |
Board members announced |
Vice-Presidents election timeline
|
12 February 2026 |
Nominations from within Council open |
|
9 March 2026 |
Nominations from within Council close |
|
20 March 2026 |
Voting opens |
|
11 May 2026 |
Voting closes |
|
14 May 2026 |
Vice-President is announced |
FAQs
Council election
Who is eligible to nominate?
Surgical fellows and members of RCS England, who are in good standing, are eligible to submit themselves for nomination. Applications must be supported by three extant fellows.
For full eligibility, please see the information sheet on the Civica website.
Who should I contact if I have questions or think I should have received an email?
If you have questions or believe you are eligible to nominate and do not receive an email on 19 February, please email chiefexecutive@rcseng.ac.uk for assistance.
How does voting work?
Eligible members will receive an email from our partner, Civica Election Services (CES), when voting opens on 19 February. This email will include your unique voting link, which will direct you to the CES voting platform, where you’ll be able to cast your vote and see information about the candidates. Voting will remain open until 9 April 2026.
Can I change my vote after it has been submitted?
No, once your vote has been submitted, it cannot be changed.
Where can I find further information about the candidates?
Candidate statements are available on the Civica voting platform.
When do Council members take office and how long is the term?
The new Council members will be inducted at the Council meeting 9 July 2026. Their term is four years.
How is the voting process kept secure and confidential?
The voting process is entirely managed by Civica Election Services, an independent scrutineer. Details of your vote will not be shared with the College.
FDS Board election
Who is eligible to nominate?
Dental fellows and members of RCS England, who are in good standing, are eligible to submit themselves for nomination. Applications must be supported by three extant fellows or members or specialty members of the faculty.
For full eligibility, please see the information sheet on the Civica website.
Who should I contact if I have questions or think I should have received an email?
If you have questions or believe you are eligible to nominate and do not receive an email on 19 February, please email chiefexecutive@rcseng.ac.uk for assistance.
How does voting work?
Eligible members will receive an email from our partner, Civica Election Services (CES), when voting opens on 19 February 2026. This email will include your unique voting link, which will direct you to the CES voting platform, where you’ll be able to cast your vote and see information about the candidates. Voting will remain open until 9 April 2026.
Can I change my vote after it has been submitted?
No, once your vote has been submitted, it cannot be changed.
Where can I find further information about the candidates?
Candidate statements are available on the Civica voting platform.
When do FDS Board members take office and how long is the term?
The new FDS Board members will be admitted on 19 June 2026. Their term is six years.
How is the voting process kept secure and confidential?
The voting process is entirely managed by Civica Election Services, an independent scrutineer. Details of your vote will not be shared with the College.
Vice-President election
Who is eligible to vote?
Surgical fellows and members of RCS England, who are in good standing, are eligible to vote. This follows the same criteria as our Council elections, which are approved by the Privy Council. We are looking at expanding eligibility further as part of future Privy Council changes.
Who should I contact if I have questions or think I should have received an email?
If you have questions or believe you are eligible to vote and do not receive an email on 20 March 2026, please email chiefexecutive@rcseng.ac.uk for assistance.
How voting works
Eligible members will receive an email from our partner, Civica Election Services (CES), when voting opens on 20 March 2026. This email includes your unique voting link that directs you to the CES voting platform, where you can cast your vote and view information about the candidates. Voting will remain open until 11 May 2026.
How does the voting process ensure at least one women is elected?
The Vice‑President election uses the Single Transferable Vote (STV). Under normal STV rules, candidates are elected or excluded based on voter preferences.
To ensure that at least one Vice‑President is a woman, the counting process includes one safeguard:
- When a candidate is due to be excluded, the system will check whether they are the last remaining woman in the count.
- If they are not the last woman, they are excluded as usual.
- If they are the last woman, they become “protected”, and instead the next eligible candidate is excluded.
This means that the final remaining woman candidate cannot be excluded and will therefore be elected, guaranteeing that at least one of the Vice‑Presidents is a woman.
Can I change my vote after it has been submitted?
No, once your vote has been submitted, it cannot be changed.
Where can I find further information about the candidates?
Candidate statements are available on the Civica voting platform.
When do the new Vice-Presidents take office?
The new Vice-Presidents will be inducted at the Council meeting on 9 July 2026. Their term is three years.
How is the voting process kept secure and confidential?
The voting process is entirely managed by Civica Election Services, an independent scrutineer. Details of your vote will not be shared with the College.