AFPRB Member and DBS Board Chairman

Dr Gillian Fairfield

Biography

Qualifying in medicine in 1981 Gillian has worked in clinical, managerial and leadership roles across different sectors and specialties, in hospitals, general practice and public health. In 1997 she was awarded a British Medical Association Fellowship in public health to study managed care in Washington State and Harvard Universities. In 1998 Gillian led on a review of prison health in England and Wales and was subsequently appointed to the post of Deputy Head of the national Prison Health Taskforce.

During her career Gillian has held four NHS Chief Executive posts in both mental health and acute Trusts. In 2012, Gillian was appointed a Board Member of the National Youth Justice Board for England and Wales by the Justice Secretary. She chaired the Performance committee and was a member of the Finance Audit and Risk committee and the National Youth Justice Oversight group to December 2021.

Gillian was appointed as Chairman of the Disclosure and Barring Service in 2018, and reappointed for a second term of office in 2022.

Gillian has been appointed to lead a review into the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Gillian has also recently become a Trustee of BACN ( British Association of Cosmetic Nurses ) a Foundation Charity set up to raise awareness of risks of cosmetic surgery, patient education and improve patient safety.

AFPRB Appointment: 15 February 2023 Term ends: 14 February 2026

The register disclosing AFPRB Members’ interests is here.

AFPRB Member

The Member of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body is responsible for providing independent advice to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence on the remuneration and charges for members of the Naval, Military and Air Forces of the Crown.

Armed Forces' Pay Review Body

DBS Board Chairman

Some of the Chair’s responsibilities at the DBS include:

  • formulating the DBS board’s strategy, discharging its statutory duties, and leading the board in overseeing the timely production of realistic business and forward plans
  • monitoring in-year performance and examining change proposals with rigour to maintain focus on delivery
  • ensuring that the DBS board, in reaching decisions, takes proper account of guidance provided by the responsible Minister and sponsor department
  • ensuring that DBS board members adhere to the code of practice for members of Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies

Disclosure and Barring Service