THE MEDICAL DEFENCE UNION LIMITED
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Next accounts due
2026-09-30 (in 4mo)
Last filed for 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement due
2026-12-28 (in 7mo)
Last made up 2025-12-14
Watchouts
Cash
£26M
-13.5% vs 2023
Net assets
£643M
+3.7% vs 2023
Employees
478
+10.4% vs 2023
Profit before tax
£38M
-10.3% vs 2023
Watchouts
Facts from the Companies House register and the latest accounts — not a rating
-
3 officer resignations in last 12 months
Multiple officers have left the board recently — see the People section for who.
Name history
Renamed 2 times since incorporation
- THE MEDICAL DEFENCE UNION LIMITED 1991-01-09 → present
- THE MEDICAL DEFENCE UNION 1989-02-07 → 1991-01-09
- MEDICAL DEFENCE UNION,LIMITED(THE) 1885-10-23 → 1989-02-07
Net assets
2-year trend · vs Industrials median
Accounts
2-year trend · latest reflected 2024-12-31
| Metric | Trend | 2023-12-31 | 2024-12-31 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnover | £127,160,000 | £129,801,000 | |
| Operating profit | -£46,705,000 | -£14,979,000 | |
| Profit before tax | £41,831,000 | £37,529,000 | |
| Net profit | £22,972,000 | £23,204,000 | |
| Cash | £29,599,000 | £25,609,000 | |
| Total assets less current liabilities | £1,114,312,000 | £1,096,494,000 | |
| Net assets | £619,759,000 | £642,657,000 | |
| Equity | £619,759,000 | £642,657,000 | |
| Average employees | 433 | 478 | |
| Wages | £31,526,000 | £34,952,000 |
Values shown as filed in the company's annual accounts. — indicates the figure wasn't present under that line item in that period. About these numbers
Ratios
Computed from the line items above — sparklines read oldest → newest
| Ratio | Trend | 2023-12-31 | 2024-12-31 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating margin | -36.7% | -11.5% | |
| Net margin | 18.1% | 17.9% | |
| Return on capital employed | -4.2% | -1.4% | |
| Gearing (liabilities / total assets) | 48.7% | 45.4% | |
| Current ratio | 0.56x | 0.62x | |
| Interest cover | -2.67x | -0.86x |
Margins divide P&L lines by turnover. Gearing is liabilities over total assets. Current ratio is current assets over creditors falling due within one year. Interest cover is operating profit over absolute finance costs. Sector-distribution context coming next.
Audit & accounting basis
- Accounting basis
- FRS 102
- Reporting scope
- Consolidated group
- Auditor
- BDO LLP
- Audit opinion
- Unqualified (clean)
- Going concern
- Affirmed
“In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group or Parent Company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.”
Group structure
- THE MEDICAL DEFENCE UNION LIMITED · parent
- MDU Services Limited 100%
- MDU Investments Limited 100%
- GP Update Limited 100%
- MDU Reinsurance Limited 100%
- Dental Defence Union Limited 100%
- Doctors and Dentists Bank Limited 100%
- Healthcare Risk Management Limited 100%
- Just for Doctors Limited 100%
- MDU Healthcare Limited 100%
- MDU Risk Management Limited 100%
- Medical Liability Services Limited 100%
- The Doctors Bank Limited 100%
- The Dentists Bank Limited 100%
Significant events
- “In 2025, MDU will celebrate its 140th anniversary, reflecting on its growth from a small group of doctors to almost a quarter of a million healthcare professionals as members.”
- “The MDU made significant progress in delivering a business strategy through to 2030, with a digital transformation programme bringing a new website, upgraded member area, and greater self-serve options.”
- “The MDU introduced refreshed branding, with Asclepius (Greek god of healing) remaining at its core, reflecting its focus on supporting members.”
- “The board signed off on a comprehensive environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy, focusing on reducing carbon emissions, evaluating supplier alignment, and investing in staff.”
- “Red Whale (GP Update Limited) was welcomed to the MDU Group last year, with joint projects underway to expand educational offerings.”
- “The MDU Insurance Solutions (MDUIS) team continues to grow, offering insurance covers to healthcare businesses through a partnership with Lloyds of London.”
- “Organisational changes and new appointments were made to align with the 2030 business strategy, including new Executive Directors for membership services and development (Carl Nightingale) and policy and communications (Tom Reynolds).”
- “Ian Da Cunha joined the MDU in a new general counsel role.”
- “In 2024, the MDU launched its inaugural IMG (international medical graduate) conference, supporting those new to UK practice and helping them navigate medico-legal issues.”
- “Following the election of a new government, the MDU launched its An Agenda for Change policy paper, urging reform of the GMC and GDC, action on clinical negligence costs, and support for the NHS workforce.”
- “In 2024, the MDU assisted over 99% of nearly 17,000 members who approached for assistance with clinical negligence claims, patient complaints, GMC cases, police investigations, coroner's inquiries, disciplinary procedures, or medico-legal/dento-legal issues.”
- “99% of calls to MDU advice lines were answered within 20 seconds in 2024, with an average of 10 seconds.”
- “In 2024, 80% of medical claims were closed without payment of damages, and 53% of dental claims. The success rate for cases reaching trial was 80%.”
- “Foundation Year 1 members of the MDU raised over £40,000 for the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund (RMBF) in 2024, the fourth consecutive year of this partnership.”
- “The MDU continued to support Doctors in Distress, providing health and wellbeing services and collaborating on a 10-week peer support group for foundation doctors.”
- “Several operational energy efficiency measures were undertaken in 2024, including surrendering the lease of Level 33 of One Canada Square on 30 June 2024, reducing staff core office hours, reviewing evening cleaning activities, and replacing monitors.”
- “The introduction of fixed recoverable costs for claims valued up to £25,000 was due to be in place but seems to have stalled. The MDU hopes for a package of legal reforms in 2025.”
Auditor, going-concern and subsidiary information is drawn from the narrative of the latest annual accounts. About these numbers
People
15 active · 67 resigned
| Name | Role | Appointed | Born | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DA CUNHA, Ian Joseph | Secretary | 2026-02-24 | — | — |
| CLARK, Peter Irving, Professor | Director | 2021-09-21 | Jul 1956 | British |
| FRYAR, Caroline Elizabeth, Dr | Director | 2024-04-01 | May 1977 | British |
| HANDA, Ashok Inderraj | Director | 2023-09-19 | Feb 1963 | British |
| HYKIN, Lynnette Ruth, Dr | Director | 2022-09-20 | May 1968 | British |
| LEE, Matthew Thomas Wilton, Dr | Director | 2009-09-15 | Oct 1971 | British |
| MILLER, Kevin | Director | 2021-09-16 | Aug 1967 | British |
| NORFOLK, Thomas John, Dr | Director | 2019-09-17 | Feb 1970 | British |
| RILEY, Jeremy Hardwicke | Director | 2018-09-18 | Nov 1960 | British |
| SANDHU, Harjinder Singh, Dr | Director | 2023-09-19 | Jan 1965 | British |
| WATKIN, Simon Wilfred, Dr | Director | 2015-09-15 | Feb 1960 | British |
| WEDDERBURN, Stella Elizabeth | Director | 2017-09-19 | Sep 1957 | British |
| WELLS, Edward Christian John | Director | 2020-07-28 | Jul 1955 | British |
| WINLOW, Mark | Director | 2025-12-31 | Apr 1962 | British |
| WRIGHT, Anthony Richard | Director | 2018-05-01 | Nov 1971 | English |
Show 67 resigned officers
| Name | Role | Appointed | Resigned |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOWMAN, Nicholas John | Secretary | 1993-07-20 | 2026-02-24 |
| WALL, John Anthony, Doctor | Secretary | — | 1993-07-20 |
| ADDISON, Kenneth George | Director | — | 1994-12-31 |
| AGHADIUNO, Chika | Director | 2017-11-28 | 2025-09-16 |
| ALLSOPP, Kathleen Mary, Dr | Director | — | 1992-12-31 |
| ARCHIBALD, Andrew Robert | Director | 2021-08-23 | 2024-07-23 |
| ARMSTRONG, Peter, Professor | Director | 2003-09-16 | 2009-09-15 |
| ARNOLD, Michael | Director | 2004-09-21 | 2006-03-17 |
| BALL, Peter Charles, Dr | Director | 1993-07-20 | 1998-06-16 |
| BERRY, Hedley Edward | Director | — | 2007-09-18 |
| BUTTIGIEG, Judith | Director | 2020-07-28 | 2021-02-05 |
| CAINES, John, Sir | Director | 1998-08-25 | 2004-09-21 |
| CARTWRIGHT, Keith Anthony Vincent, Professor | Director | 2006-09-19 | 2016-09-20 |
| CHAMBERS, Andrew David, Professor | Director | 2004-09-22 | 2006-07-25 |
| CLARKE, Harold Edward | Director | 2007-02-27 | 2018-09-18 |
| COLLINGE, Suzanne Marie | Director | — | 1993-10-26 |
| COOKE, Edith Mary, Dr | Director | 1995-02-28 | 2003-09-16 |
| CORLEY, Roger David | Director | 1996-06-18 | 2004-09-21 |
| CRAFT, Alan William, Sir | Director | 2009-09-15 | 2015-09-15 |
| DE BLOCQ VAN KUFFELER, John Philip | Director | 2001-05-22 | 2004-09-21 |
| DINNING, William Robert John | Director | 2014-09-16 | 2020-09-15 |
| DUNGAY, Nicholas Andrew | Director | 2009-09-15 | 2021-04-06 |
| EARL, Christopher Joseph, Dr | Director | — | 1996-06-18 |
| EDGINTON, Clive Leonard Ashcroft | Director | 2012-04-24 | 2018-09-18 |
| EVANS, Christopher Charles, Dr | Director | — | 2012-09-18 |
| FLOOD, Deirdre | Director | 2018-01-02 | 2018-02-26 |
| FRY, Ian Kelsey, Dr | Director | — | 1997-06-24 |
| GALLIVAN, Maurice Michael | Director | 1993-07-20 | 2018-05-31 |
| GARFIELD, John Samuel | Director | — | 1995-06-20 |
| GIFFORD, Michael John | Director | 1997-06-24 | 2001-01-11 |
| GLENARTHUR, Simon Mark, Lord | Director | 2002-02-26 | 2006-07-26 |
| GOLDSMITH, Paul, Dr | Director | 2017-07-25 | 2023-09-19 |
| HERON, Christine Woodruff, Dr | Director | 2012-09-18 | 2017-12-31 |
| HILES, Ronald William | Director | 1999-01-26 | 2003-09-16 |
| HOOPER, Gloria Dorothy, Baroness | Director | 1993-04-01 | 2001-09-18 |
| HORLER, Alan Rigby, Dr | Director | — | 1994-09-01 |
| HUBBARD, Richard David Cairns | Director | 1998-08-25 | 2000-12-31 |
| HUTCHINSON, Ian David | Director | 2013-02-11 | 2022-02-22 |
| KENNEDY, John Greer, Dr | Director | 1998-06-16 | 2004-09-21 |
| LA FRENAIS, Walter Simon Lodge, Dr | Director | 1993-11-01 | 2000-09-14 |
| MARKHAM, David Eric | Director | — | 2006-09-19 |
| MARSDEN, Charles David, Professor | Director | 1997-08-26 | 1998-09-29 |
| MAXWELL, Robert James, Dr | Director | — | 1998-06-16 |
| MCAUSLAND, Graeme Stewart | Director | 2021-07-27 | 2026-04-09 |
| MOUNTFIELD, Robin, Sir | Director | 2004-09-21 | 2006-07-25 |
| NEBEL, Andrew Howard Martin | Director | 1996-06-18 | 1996-09-30 |
| PEARSON, Richard John Crewdson | Director | 2006-11-01 | 2013-09-17 |
| POSWILLO, David Ernest, Professor | Director | — | 1997-06-24 |
| RENDLE, Michael Russel | Director | 1998-08-25 | 2001-09-18 |
| RICHARDSON, Kerry Francis | Director | 2007-05-01 | 2014-09-16 |
| RICHMOND, Maureen Shannon, Dr | Director | 2005-11-22 | 2013-09-17 |
| RIORDAN EVA, Paul | Director | 2006-09-19 | 2022-09-20 |
| ROBINSON, Paul Derek | Director | 2004-09-21 | 2015-09-15 |
| SAUNDERS, Michael Thomas, Doctor | Director | — | 2009-04-30 |
| SHAUNAK, Sunil, Professor | Director | 2017-09-19 | 2023-09-19 |
| SHERLOCK, Edward Barry Orton | Director | 1994-09-25 | 1996-07-31 |
| SMITH, Joseph Colin | Director | — | 2001-09-18 |
| SMITH, Roland, Professor Sir | Director | 1992-11-24 | 1998-06-30 |
| SPARROW, Owen Charles Ellis | Director | 2015-04-28 | 2021-09-21 |
| STEWART, Hugh Harkness Archibald, Dr | Director | 2022-01-26 | 2024-03-31 |
| TOMKINS, Christine Margaret, Dr | Director | 1995-06-20 | 2021-09-21 |
| TOWNEND, John Law | Director | — | 1993-07-20 |
| WALL, John Anthony, Doctor | Director | — | 1995-06-21 |
| WALL, John Anthony, Doctor | Director | — | 1993-07-20 |
| WALLEY, Thomas Joseph, Professor | Director | 2003-09-16 | 2005-07-22 |
| WEBSTER, Peter David | Director | 2011-09-20 | 2017-09-19 |
| WILLIAMS, Peter Randall, Dr | Director | 1997-08-26 | 2017-09-19 |
Ownership
Persons with significant control
Filing timeline
Last 20 of 339 total filings
| Date | Type | Category | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-20 | TM01 | officers | Termination director company with name termination date | |
| 2026-03-03 | TM02 | officers | Termination secretary company with name termination date | |
| 2026-03-03 | AP03 | officers | Appoint person secretary company with name date | |
| 2026-01-05 | AP01 | officers | Appoint person director company with name date | |
| 2025-12-16 | CS01 | confirmation-statement | Confirmation statement with no updates | |
| 2025-12-09 | CH01 | officers | Change person director company with change date | |
| 2025-09-17 | TM01 | officers | Termination director company with name termination date | |
| 2025-08-07 | CH01 | officers | Change person director company with change date | |
| 2025-08-05 | AA | accounts | Accounts with accounts type group | |
| 2024-12-16 | CS01 | confirmation-statement | Confirmation statement with no updates | |
| 2024-11-15 | CH01 | officers | Change person director company with change date | |
| 2024-10-23 | AA | accounts | Accounts with accounts type group | |
| 2024-07-25 | TM01 | officers | Termination director company with name termination date | |
| 2024-04-03 | AP01 | officers | Appoint person director company with name date | |
| 2024-04-02 | TM01 | officers | Termination director company with name termination date | |
| 2024-03-12 | CH01 | officers | Change person director company with change date | |
| 2024-03-12 | CH01 | officers | Change person director company with change date | |
| 2024-03-12 | CH01 | officers | Change person director company with change date | |
| 2024-03-12 | CH01 | officers | Change person director company with change date | |
| 2024-03-12 | CH01 | officers | Change person director company with change date |
Public-record activity
Raw counts from Companies House — last 12–24 months
- Filings
- 9
- Capital events
- 0
- Officers appointed
- 2
- Officers resigned
- 3
last 12 months
last 24 months
last 12 months
last 12 months
Direct counts from the register. No score, no rating — see the Filing timeline for the underlying events.
Year-on-year
FY2023 → FY2024 · period ending 2024-12-31 vs 2023-12-31
-
Turnover
+2.1%
£127,160,000 £129,801,000
-
Cash
-13.5%
£29,599,000 £25,609,000
-
Net assets
+3.7%
£619,759,000 £642,657,000
-
Employees
+10.4%
433 478
-
Operating profit
+67.9%
-£46,705,000 -£14,979,000
-
Profit before tax
-10.3%
£41,831,000 £37,529,000
-
Wages
+10.9%
£31,526,000 £34,952,000
Each % is (latest − prior) ÷ |prior| for the line item as filed. The comparison is only shown when the latest and prior accounts cover broadly equal-length periods — short or long stubs (typical around incorporation or a year-end change) are suppressed rather than misrepresented. Lines a company doesn't report are omitted. About these numbers