Gillian Leng named as new Medical Protection Society President

Medical Protection Society (MPS) – the world’s leading protection organisation for doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals – has announced Professor Gillian Leng CBE as its next President, effective 1 October 2026.

Gillian, a clinician with a passion for using evidence to improve care, joined the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in 2001 to establish its clinical guidelines programme and became its second Chief Executive Officer in 2020. She is now the President of the Royal Society of Medicine, chair of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council and a non-executive for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology.

In 2024, she led an independent review into the roles of Physician and Anaesthesia Associates on behalf of the UK government and is now supporting the adoption of the recommendations.

She takes over as President of MPS from Professor Dame Jane Dacre who completed her eight-year tenure in June 2026.

Gillian commented: “I am delighted to take on the role of President of the Medical Protection Society. MPS plays a crucial role in supporting healthcare professionals with expertise, fairness and compassion. I look forward to working with the team to ensure MPS members have the confidence and protection they need to care for patients safely.”

Dr Graham Stokes, Chair of Council at MPS commented: “Gillian has made a huge contribution to healthcare throughout her career. I am thrilled to welcome her into this role, and I know that her passion and experience will be invaluable in shaping the protection and support that we provide to members.

“I would also like to thank Jane Dacre for being such a staunch advocate for members and for the great support she provided to MPS during her time as President.”

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Notes to editors

For further information or a photo of Professor Gillian Leng CBE please contact pressoffice@medicalprotection.org

About MPS

The Medical Protection Society Limited (“MPS”) is the world’s leading protection organisation for doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals. We protect and support the professional interests of more than 300,000 members around the world. Membership provides access to expert advice and support and can also provide, depending on the type of membership required, the right to request indemnity for any complaints or claims arising from professional practice.

Our in-house experts assist with the wide range of legal and ethical problems that arise from professional practice. This can include clinical negligence claims, complaints, medical and dental council inquiries, legal and ethical dilemmas, disciplinary procedures, inquests and fatal accident inquiries.

Our philosophy is to support safe practice in medicine and dentistry by helping to avert problems in the first place. We do this by promoting risk management through our E-learning, clinical risk assessments, publications, conferences, lectures and presentations.

MPS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MPS are discretionary as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.