New Chair for the General Chiropractic Council

Jonathan McShane has been appointed by the Privy Council as the new Chair of the General Chiropractic Council (GCC). He takes over with immediate effect from Mary Chapman, who announced in July that she was retiring from the role at the end of 2023.

Jonathan has had an extensive career in health and social care. He is passionate about ensuring life-long health and the role that health and care professionals can play in supporting people to remain healthy, safe and well.

Having served as a Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care in Hackney for eight years he now works in East London and across the country supporting health and care leaders to develop the systems and structures needed to deliver really effective integrated care.

He is an associate with the Local Government Association and previously represented the LGA as national representative for public health. He also chaired the national Pharmacy and Public Health Forum and the Public Health System Group for Public Health England for several years. He is currently a member of the Chief Executive’s Advisory Group at the King’s Fund and has been the Chair of Trustees at the Terrence Higgins Trust, the HIV and sexual health charity, since 2016.

Jonathan McShane said:

“I am delighted to be appointed as the Chair of the GCC. My first responsibility is to patients. My work across health and social care has shown me the critical importance of effective regulation to the safety of patients and the improvement of care generally.

Demonstrable good regulation will help build further trust in the profession; and I look forward to working collaboratively with partners across all four countries of the United Kingdom to further enhance the reputation of UK chiropractors as highly-qualified healthcare professionals ready and able to respond to the country’s growing needs.”

Responding to the announcement, Nick Jones, GCC Chief Executive and Registrar, said:

“Jonathan’s appointment has come at an exciting time for the GCC as we embark on an ambitious programme to renew standards through our Code of Practice and develop our future strategy from 2025. I look forward to working with Jonathan and Council alongside our stakeholders as the future of the GCC is shaped.

I also pay tribute to Mary Chapman for her strong and clear-sighted leadership of the GCC since 2017. We, and in-turn the profession, have benefited immeasurably from her insights, intellect and the changes that she has overseen. Mary leaves the GCC in good shape and in good hands”

Mary Chapman, Outgoing Chair said:

"I am delighted to pass the baton to Jonathan McShane. His wealth of experience and dedication to healthcare will undoubtedly propel the GCC forward. I wish him all the best in his new role, and trust that he will enjoy the same level of support afforded to me by Council colleagues, staff, partners and stakeholders over my tenure as Chair”.

Notes to Editors

1. The General Chiropractic Council (GCC) is the independent statutory body that regulates the chiropractic profession. Created under the 1994 Chiropractors Act, the GCC’s purpose is to protect, promote and maintain the health, safety and wellbeing of chiropractic patients and the public.
2. The GCC is the smallest of the ten healthcare regulators under the Professional Standard Authority, with about 3,800 chiropractors on its register.
3. Jonathan’s appointment comes after a robust selection process supported by Gatenby Sanderson.
4. The process was scrutinised by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) (pursuant to section 25C of the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 (as amended)) and the PSA advised the Privy Council that they could have confidence in the process.
5. Jonathan’s term will initially run for four years.
6. For more information, contact enquiries@gcc-uk.org at the General Chiropractic Council.