The MDU appoints Dr Hugh Stewart as new professional services director

The MDU appoints Dr Hugh Stewart as new professional services director

The Medical Defence Union (MDU), the UK’s leading mutual membership body offering indemnity and medico and dento-legal support to doctors and dental professionals, has appointed Dr Hugh Stewart to the role of professional services director. Hugh will take over from Dr Matthew Lee, who becomes the MDU’s new chief executive.

In this role, Hugh will be responsible for key services MDU members rely on including 24-hour medico and dento-legal advice and assistance, claims handling and in-house legal teams and the MDU’s clinical risk management services founded on 136 years of guiding, supporting and defending healthcare professionals.

Dr Stewart is a former GP partner and law lecturer and has worked in a number of roles within the company, most recently as director of legal services and director of Scottish affairs, in which he has overseen a move to entirely paperless legal working and a substantial growth in the number of the MDU’s GP, consultant and dental members in Scotland.

Hugh commented:

“I am very pleased to be appointed professional services director and look forward to continuing Matt’s achievements in developing the services we provide to doctors and dentists across the UK. I am proud to lead such an outstanding professional services team and I consider it a privilege to be in a position to serve and support our members who are currently facing unprecedented pressures.

Dr Matthew Lee, MDU chief executive, said:

“I’m delighted that Hugh will be taking over from me as professional services director. He is experienced in both law and medicine and has extensive knowledge of the MDU’s work as well as a deep commitment to our members. As such, I am confident that Hugh will ensure the continuing success of the MDU’s professional services team in the years ahead.”

Pictured: Dr Hugh Stewart, MDU professional services director