Professor Colin Melville to step down as GMC education and standards director
Professor Colin Melville has announced that he is to retire as Medical Director and Director of Education and Standards at the General Medical Council (GMC) next summer.
Professor Melville joined the GMC in 2017, from his role as head of Lancaster Medical School. Prior to that he held other senior leadership roles including at Hull York and Warwick medical schools.
He will leave at the end of June 2025. Recruitment for his successor will begin in September this year, via an open campaign with the role being advertised UK-wide.
Professor Melville is a registered doctor and was previously a consultant in intensive care medicine. He began his clinical career in 1983.
In 2018 he was awarded Honorary Fellow of the Academy of Medical Educators and made Honorary Professor in Medical Education at Manchester University. And in 2022 he was made Visiting Professor at Anglia Ruskin University.
"While at the GMC Colin has provided strong leadership and strategic direction, and worked tirelessly to oversee an ambitious programme of work that has contributed to real change for the benefit of patients and doctors"
Charlie Massey
GMC Chief Executive and Registrar
Professor Melville said:
‘It has been a difficult decision to leave the GMC, which is a fantastic organisation with so many wonderful colleagues. I have had the privilege of overseeing some exciting changes to education and standards, but I believe now is the right for me to step back from a full-time executive role.
‘And, of course, I am looking forward to doing some different things and having more time for family and friends.’
During his time at the GMC, Professor Melville has overseen the introduction of the Medical Licensing Assessment, been instrumental in the regulator’s work to address unfairness in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, and played a key role in ensuring education and training was maintained during the pandemic.
Charlie Massey, Chief Executive and Registrar of the GMC, said:
‘While at the GMC Colin has provided strong leadership and strategic direction, and worked tirelessly to oversee an ambitious programme of work that has contributed to real change for the benefit of patients and doctors. We are hugely grateful for all that he has achieved, and will be sorry to see him leave.’
