Meet the team

Mike has been in specialist practice since 1993 and was one of the first dentists elected to the General Dental Council list for prosthodontics upon its formation. He has been providing specialist referral services to more than 100 referring partners in Gloucestershire and beyond for almost 20 years.

His discipline specialises in the repair or replacement of missing or damaged teeth and as a result includes traditional treatment such as dentures (which are often overlooked), crowns, bridges, and veneers, as well as all aspects of Dental Implant Dentistry and Advanced Dental Solutions including TMD (jaw joint disorders), tooth grinding, sleep disorders and tooth surface loss.

He regularly updates his postgraduate education both in the UK and abroad and aims to bring additional services to both patients and referring dentists to Illume over the coming months.
mike@illumedentistry.co.uk
GDC Reg. no 64311

Clare began her practice journey in 2008 as a GDC registered dental nurse. In 2010 she merged her clinical skills with administrative skills to work alongside the directors in managing the practice and business.  During this time Clare has helped implement the many changes and developments that have occurred and managed the ever-evolving change in the industry.

In 2022 Clare handed over the reins of daily practice management to focus solely on the business side and to allow her time to pursue more of what she enjoys away from the world of dentistry. 

When not at Illume Clare can be found relaxing with friends and family or planning for her next travel adventure.  She has recently uncovered an interest in DIY and interior design but is slowly discovering that creative projects that look easy on Instagram may just not be her forte!

clare@illumedentistry.co.uk

Alice joined Illume in 2012 towards the end of completing her nursing diploma and has subsequently gone on to gain further qualifications in dental radiography.

During her time at Illume Alice has overlapped clinical and admin roles as Practice Coordinator to ensure the smooth operational running of the business and paving her way to Practice Manager in 2022.

Away from Illume Alice enjoys spending time with her partner, looking after a very demanding cat, feeding her outlandish shopping habit and playing Roller Derby.

GDC Reg. no 248121
alice@illumedentistry.co.uk

Lucy first joined Illume in 2014 as part of our nursing team. Having taken a few years away to start her family she returned to Illume in 2020 as part of our front desk team. Lucy is one of the first smiling faces to greet you upon arrival. Her clinical knowledge, experience and her ability to make clients feel welcome and at ease makes her a fantastic Client Relation Manager. Lucy is the port of call for referral practitioners and patients and liaises with Illume specialists to ensure a seamless patient journey.

When not at Illume, Lucy is kept on her toes by her young daughter and enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog, as well as all things gastronomical – which makes her fit right in with the whole team!

GDC Reg. no 243263
lucy@illumedentistry.co.uk

Catherine has been part of the Illume front desk team since 2011.  Catherine’s longevity at Illume means she knows many of our patients well and has been an integral part of the patient journey for over a decade.  Even relocating across the border hasn’t stopped Cath from being part of the team; most days she will be working remotely from her home in Pembrokeshire yet she still remains the first point of call for patients phoning the practice during the day and returns to Cheltenham soil most months to see us face to face.

When not at work, Cath enjoys keeping fit with marathon dog walks and can currently be found in the midst of building projects at home. An avid globe trotter, she enjoys seeking out weird and wonderful places to visit away from tourist hotspots. And of course, she wouldn’t be accepted as part of the team without a love of food and drink. She makes a mean key lime pie!

catherine@illumedentistry.co.uk

Phil graduated from Kings College London Dental Institute in 2016 before joining the Illume team in 2019.
He has a reputation for being professional, organised, well-motivated and passionate about dentistry. His relaxed and easy manner is reassuring for those who are anxious about visiting the dentist and patients frequently refer their friends and family to see him.

Phil has undertaken further training in multiple aspects of dentistry, including root canal treatments, the treatment of snoring and sleep apnoea, fixed brace and clear aligner orthodontics and the restoration of implants.

When not practising dentistry, Phil is a committee member on the Gloucestershire Independent Dentists and Local Dental Committee as well as providing support for young dentists of Gloucestershire.
Away from dentistry, Phil is a keen sportsman, enjoying golf, football, tennis and squash.
Phil is married to fellow Illume dentist Farima

GDC reg no: 265014
phil@illumedentistry.co.uk

Liam graduated from Cardiff University with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2015. He returned to his hometown of Cheltenham and became a dental associate in Tetbury before joining Illume in 2022.
Liam joins the practice with a wealth of experience in general dentistry and has a particular interest in aligner technology for tooth straightening and minimally invasive cosmetic dental treatments.

Liam looks forward to building long-term relationships with his patients and this is already reflected in the loyal patients who have tracked him down and Illume patients expressing their delight since his first day.

In his free time, Liam enjoys rugby, golf and has recently taken up playing padel. Liam recently got married this year to Georgia and they have a black lab named Zulu.

GDC reg no: 259105
liam@illumedentistry.co.uk

Farima qualified from Kings College London in 2016 and has since worked in private practices as a general dentist as well as teaching, looking after and clinically tutoring the undergraduate dental students at Bristol Dental Hospital.

In 2017 Farima spent a year at the Queen Alexandra Hospital carrying out complex restorations as part of the head and neck unit. This included treatments on patients with severe generalised tooth wear, full mouth rehabilitation, restoration of implants, fixed and removable prosthetics, cleft lip and palate and facial-cranio deformities, head and neck cancer assessments, rehabilitation and chronic trauma.
In 2018 Farima gained membership to the Royal College of Surgeons - Faculty of Dental Surgeons carrying out postgraduate examinations in MJDF and MFDS.
Farima joins Illume as part of the referral services aspect of the practice and will be seeing patients referred to her by other practitioners for clinical assessment for facial aesthetic services.

GDC Reg. no 264924
reception@illumedentistry.co.uk

GDC number: 229123

James graduated from Kings College, London in 2016 and has worked in private practice ever since. As well as undertaking the full spectrum of routine general dentistry, he’s been running Emergency Dental Service Clinics for the past four years.

Having completed a two-year Postgraduate Diploma in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry he was awarded a Fellowship in the British Academy of Aesthetic Restorative and Implant Dentistry. James is currently studying for an MSc in Oral Surgery and plans to undertake further study in implant surgery to become a member of the Dental Faculty of the Royal College of Surgeons England.
Away from the world of dentistry, James is a keen runner, holds a black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do, enjoys rugby (having captained for both Guy’s Hospital Rugby Club and Kings College) and is kept on his toes by his cockapoo Rupert!

GDC NO. 265115

Rippon qualified in Dentistry from Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ in London in 2003 before spending 10 years training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. She spent 5 years as a Specialty Doctor in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in various hospitals including Royal London Hospital, where she was also a Honorary Clinical lecturer and involved in undergraduate dental training. In this time, she also obtained her Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

With an interest in jaw surgery, Rippon decided to specialise in Orthodontics and undertook higher Specialist training at Birmingham Dental Hospital. She was awarded a Membership in Orthodontics at the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh and is recognised as a Specialist in Orthodontics with the General Dental Council.

Rippon is an examiner for the General Dental Council/Royal College of Surgeons England for 11 years, examining overseas dentists.

In her spare time, Rippon is kept busy with her young dog and enjoys exploring the Cotswolds with him and is always happy for any good dog walking recommendations.

Agnes is a member of the BDHA and qualified in 1987. She relishes the sheer variety of clients we see, all of whom benefit from her gentle approach. Despite her wealth of clinical experience, Agnes approaches every client as an individual with feelings, not just a mouth to treat. She loves cooking and gardening.

GDC Reg. no 3388
hygiene@illumedentistry.co.uk

Leanne joined us several years ago as a trainee dental nurse and after becoming a qualified dental nurse left to study for a diploma in Hygiene in Cardiff. We are delighted that she has now rejoined our team of hygienists. Leanne's gentle approach has won over many clients. In her spare time, she likes zumba, walking the dog and travelling.

GDC Reg. no 124533
hygiene@illumedentistry.co.uk

Jean has been nursing since 2002. She has a caring professional manner and loves the rapport she has with Illume’s clients. She assists both our hygienists and dentists. Jean loves all kinds of music and dancing and going shopping with her friends.

GDC Reg. no 127840
info@illumedentistry.co.uk