NMC launches search for next Chair of Council

There has never been a more crucial moment for a values-led and purpose-driven leader to make a transformative difference to the organisation and the people it serves. An independent review of our culture recognised the NMC’s many dedicated, driven and highly capable people, but also found serious failings in our culture, including experiences of racism and other forms of discrimination, as well as bullying, harassment and fear of speaking up.

The review was clear about the link between our culture and regulatory performance. There are people who have been waiting far too long for decisions on fitness to practise cases they are involved in. And we have not always identified the safeguarding or wellbeing needs of people in difficult or vulnerable circumstances.

We have already begun to lay the groundwork for positive change, and we are now looking for a new Chair. They will need to provide visible leadership, guiding, challenging and holding the executive to account. They will also need to take accountability for the delivery of the recommendations from the independent culture review, and for ensuring that the NMC delivers its regulatory functions effectively.

The Chair must have a demonstrable commitment to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion, and to ensuring organisations are equitable and inclusive in their work, both within internal cultures and in external organisational impact. They will need to bring a deep understanding of cultural transformation/organisational development, plus experience of leading and overseeing delivery in complex organisations. And they must be passionate about improving health and care for the benefit of people and communities everywhere.

We want the membership of the Council to reflect the diversity of the professionals we regulate and the public we’re here to protect, so we’re keen to hear from people with the right skills and expertise from diverse backgrounds, lived experiences and walks of life.

To ensure an objective external perspective, Sir David Behan will act as independent chair of the selection panel. Sir David was CEO of the Care Quality Commission from 2012 to 2018, and has since held non-executive director and adviser roles with a number of public and private health and care organisations.

Council Vice-Chairs Anne Walker and Lynne Wigens, and Council member Eileen McEneaney, will also sit on the panel. They will be joined by independent panel member Radhika Seth, a senior diversity advisor and senior independent assessor, who has worked on multiple public appointment campaigns.

As our work covers all of the UK, we welcome applications from across all four nations: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Chair will need to be able to devote three days a week to the Council.

Hunter Healthcare has been appointed to support the process and assist in the candidate search. The closing date for applications is 09:00 on Monday 25 November.

Read more information on the role and how to apply

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