Alison White has been appointed as interim chief executive and registrar of the General Dental Council (GDC).

Alison has a strong track record of strategic development, leadership and business results, in both the public and private sectors.

As a commercial chartered director, Alison's recent experience has included the health and skills sectors.

She has been chief executive for the National Pharmacy Association, the trade body for community pharmacists and managing director for primecare, part of the Nestor Healthcare Group, which provides out of hours services for GPs.

She has worked for many years at the most senior levels of business, specialising in commercial development and change leadership.

Duncan Rudkin will hand over the management of the organisation on 15 December when he leaves to become chief executive of the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Hew Mathewson, chair of the GDC says: 'I would like to pay tribute to the considerable achievements of Duncan Rudkin during his time at the General Dental Council. As chief executive, he has reshaped the staff structure and our high standing as a regulator is very largely a consequence of his efforts.

'We are very pleased to welcome Alison White, a highly experienced senior executive, who will be working with the new chair to take the council forward whilst a permanent chief executive and eegistrar is recruited.'

Alison White says: 'It is an exciting time to be joining the General Dental Council. It has gone through significant change recently with a newly appointed council and new chair Alison Lockyer elected. I'm looking forward to working with council members and the executive, ensuring that our regulation of the dental team is as efficient and effective as possible.'