Announcing your newly elected FDS Board members 2026

Thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s elections. By voting, you help shape the leadership and direction of the College.

Three members have been elected by you to join our FDS Board. We welcome Neil Shah, who will be formally admitted to the Board in June and Robert Crawford and Professor Jennifer Gallagher, who have been re‑elected.

As previously announced, Professor Martyn Cobourne has been elected as the next Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery and will take up office on 19 June, succeeding Dr Charlotte Eckhardt. We thank Dr Eckhardt for her contribution and leadership during her term.

Elections for the Vice‑Deans will take place in June and will be decided by a vote within the Board. The new Vice‑Deans will take office in October.

Read the elected Board members' election statements, and learn more about our existing Board members.

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Robert Crawford

I am passionate about enhancing the status, influence and impact of the Faculty of Dental Surgery within the Royal College of Surgeons of England and across the wider spheres of dentistry and healthcare. My priorities include strengthening engagement, representation and support for dentists, trainees, specialists and consultants earlier in their careers, particularly for under-represented groups.

I am committed to developing examinations that reflect contemporary practice and techniques, whilst upholding the Faculty’s historic reputation for excellence, rigour and prestige. Over the past eight years as a Restorative Specialty Membership Examiner and now as a Dental Specialty Fellowship Examiner, I bring rounded experience, in-depth insight and a strong understanding of the needs of all specialties combined with a desire to ensure these are developed optimally.

Supporting those early in their careers is central to my work. I have trained, guided and mentored many clinicians and understand the challenges of balancing training with service demands.

I also seek to enhance external influence and continue representing the profession through my role on the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine Council.  Through my work with FDS Examinations, Fellowship and Awards Committees, I have the skills, experience and dedication to drive meaningful progress for the Faculty.

Professor Jennifer Gallagher

The Faculty of Dental Surgery plays a strategic role in shaping dentistry and the oral health workforce nationally and globally. This includes influencing systems and policy, setting and upholding quality standards, and supporting individuals through education and training.

Gaining FDS, a pivotal moment in my professional career, was the beginning of my engagement with the Royal College. It has been a privilege to serve on Faculty Board for an initial term as the first Dental Public Health consultant to be formally elected. Drawing on my experience, and expertise, I wish to contribute to future thoughtful action in a second term.

Health professionals face the challenge of delivering high quality care in complex and rapidly changing world. There is much to wrestle with from engaging with Artificial Intelligence wisely, to better serving populations across the life course, and facilitating health workforce careers for successive generations.

My key priorities on FDS Board include:

• Shaping the future with courage, creativity and compassion, providing leadership for change.
• Advocating for a sustainable oral health workforce to meet population needs in quality systems
• Working with our wider surgical colleagues to enhance our partnership-working internationally and provide effective leadership to make a real difference in the world.

Neil Shah

I am a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in the NHS with a clinical and academic focus on oral cancer, early diagnosis and outcomes. I am standing for the FDS Board because the Faculty has a vital stewardship role in setting standards, supporting education and careers, and representing dental surgeons and specialists at a time of change. Alongside my professional experience, I bring the perspective of having undergone radical treatment for tongue cancer, including major surgery and radiotherapy, which has reinforced the importance of early diagnosis, clear communication and dignity in care. My first priority is early diagnosis and prevention, drawing on my involvement in the stewardship of a local Community Diagnostic Centre oral cancer pathway to support wider adoption of safe, effective approaches to early diagnosis. My second priority is to strengthen the Faculty’s leadership in education, standards and evidence based practice, ensuring training and assessment support high quality patient care. My third priority is to support the dental workforce through collaboration, professionalism and public trust. I would contribute constructively and listen carefully to members.