The College is seeking a new Trustee with a professional background in accountancy or finance.
The Board of Trustees supports the College’s historic mission to build a future Royal College for dentistry by ensuring the proper running of the organisation and the fulfilment of its legal and regulatory obligations. It works alongside the elected College Council, which oversees the professional affairs of the organisation.
Trustees require an appreciation of the business imperatives underpinning a growing organisation, reconciling delivery of our mission in the patient and public interest with financial viability. They must demonstrate high standards of behaviour and attitude, and must have a thorough and up-to-date understanding of the role of a Trustee in a registered charity and membership-based organisation which seeks to embody inclusive professionalism.
The Finance Trustee should in addition bring experience in accounting, audit, investment or strategic financial oversight, and should have an understanding of charity and company financial governance including financial controls, risk management, reserves policy, audit requirements and reporting obligations.
The new appointee will succeed Neil Sawbridge, who has served on the CGDent Trustee Board since 2017. The other College Trustees are governance specialist Jane Clarke, barrister Commander Fred Thomson VR RN DL and dental professionals Dr Roy Bennett FCGDent, Dr Onkar Dhanoya FCGDent, Professor Andrew Eder FCGDent, Dr Mick Horton FCGDent and Dr Catherine Rutland FCGDent.
A role profile is available below:
Applications should be made by CV and a covering letter which addresses the requirements described in the role profile and cites two referees. These must be received by Sunday 11 October 2026, addressed to contact@cgdent.uk with the subject line “Finance Trustee application”.
Interviews will be held in London in late October/early November.
The successful candidate will be appointed for three years, and prospective applicants should be able to attend three half-day online Trustee Board meetings per year and a one-day in-person meeting and workshop in London. It is intended that the appointee will begin their term at the Trustee meeting on Tuesday 15 December 2026 (10.30-16.00, London), with further meetings currently scheduled for:
- Friday 2 April 2027, 10.30-13.00 (online)
- Friday 9 July 2027, 10.30-13.00 (online)
- Friday 8 October 2027, 10.30-13.00 (online)
- Friday 17 December 2027, 10.30-16.00, London
They will also chair the College’s Finance and Risk Committee, which meets four times per year, usually online and midweek.
If you have questions or would like a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Simon Thornton-Wood PhD, Chief Executive of the College, at simon.thorntonwood@cgdent.uk. A confidential discussion with the current Finance Trustee can also be arranged.
The College is also currently seeking a Dental Trustee, with applications open until 23 August 2026. Find out more here