NMC announces new Council chair

Sir David Warren has today (Monday 21 June) been appointed as Chair of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). This follows the departure of Philip Graf who stepped down in December due to ill health. Sir David takes over from Acting Chair, Karen Cox.

As Chair, Sir David will lead the NMC’s governing Council in realising our vision - of safe, effective and kind nursing and midwifery that improves everyone's health and wellbeing - and working collaboratively with the Executive Team on our key priorities. These include reducing our fitness to practice caseload, delivering new post registration standards and working with Government to deliver better, safer regulation across the UK.

Sir David was previously British Ambassador to Japan from 2008 to 2012, after a career in the British Diplomatic Service focused on East Asian affairs, and a period on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Board of Management (2004 to 2007). He was Chair of the Council at the University of Kent from 2014 to 2020, and is a non-executive Director of Aberdeen Japan Investment Trust.

In 2012, Sir David was made Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George.

Commenting on his appointment, Sir David Warren, Chair of the NMC’s Council, said:

"I'm delighted to have been appointed Chair of the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

"In recent times, nursing and midwifery professionals have inspired people across the UK with their hard work and determination. I'm looking forward to being part of the NMC's journey, transforming what we do, how we do it and supporting professionals to deliver high quality care for those who need it.

"I'm particularly excited about working with our partners in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Together we can better understand how we can continue to improve the way we regulate and protect the public."

Andrea Sutcliffe CBE, Chief Executive and Registrar, said:

"I'd like to extend a warm welcome to Sir David as our new Chair. His considerable experience and expertise will help the NMC go from strength to strength in embedding our values and achieving our ambitions of becoming a better, fairer regulator. I'm looking forward to us working together and I know I will benefit from his wise counsel and advice.

"On behalf of everyone, I'd like to say a huge thank you to Karen. She has been fantastic leading, supporting and challenging us over the past nine months in her role as Acting Chair. And I pay tribute to Philip's previous excellent leadership and the legacy he left which Sir David will undoubtedly build on."

Karen Cox, Deputy Chair of the Council, said:

"It's been a fantastic experience chairing the Council but I'm pleased to hand over the reins and to welcome Sir David into his new role. His experience and dedication to public service will undoubtedly help the NMC as we continue our journey, improving the way we regulate, supporting the public, our professionals and our partners and positively influencing the context for learning and care."

ENDS

Further background

The NMC launched its 2020-2025 Strategy last year to support the delivery of excellent nursing and midwifery.

Information about Council governance, meetings, members, associates, and committees can be found here.

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