The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has announced the appointment of a new interim chief executive and registrar.
Paul Rees will move from his role as chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) to the nursing regulator on 20 January 2025 for a period of 12 months.
The appointment follows a scathing independent culture review into the NMC earlier this year which exposed a ‘toxic culture’ of bullying, racism and harassment at the regulator.
Helen Herniman – who has been acting in the post since July – will continue to lead the organisation until Mr Rees joins in the new year.
The search for a new chief executive and registrar began in the summer when Andrea Sutcliffe stepped down due to ill health.
She was shortly after replaced on an interim basis by Dawn Brodrick in July, who then resigned four days after her appointment was announced following concerns raised around her reported links to a high-profile discrimination case while working at an NHS trust.
NMC executive director of resources and technology services Ms Herniman then started in an acting capacity some days later.
Mr Rees joins the nursing regulator after a year at the NPA – an organisation which has just seen its pharmacy owner members vote in favour of reducing their service offering amid concerns over funding.
He will be tasked with overseeing the establishment a programme to transform the nursing regulator’s culture and performance.
Prior to the NPA, Mr Rees was chief executive of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and director for policy and engagement at the Royal College of General Practitioners.
The NMC noted that Mr Rees joins the organisation ‘at a crucial time as we set a new direction’ following the independent culture review.
‘His experience in leading organisations through culture transformation is a crucial part of improving the NMC’s fitness to practise processes, for the benefit of the public and the professionals on the register,’ the NMC said in a statement today.
In 2022, Mr Rees was awarded an MBE for services to equality, diversity and inclusion.
The NMC said it will be launching a campaign to recruit a permanent chief executive when a successor to Sir David Warren as chair is appointed in early 2025.
The search for a new NMC Council chair began last month. This came after Sir David announced plans to step down from the role, having faced calls to resign following the independent review.
Commenting on his appointment as interim chief executive and registrar today, Mr Rees said: ‘I am looking forward enormously to joining the brilliant team at the NMC and helping them deliver the culture change that they need to thrive in their roles.
‘In turn, this will enable them to deliver their best work for the public who rely on high standards of nursing and midwifery care.
‘Together, we will work to substantially improve the experiences and outcomes for everyone impacted by the NMC’s important role and work as a regulator.’
Meanwhile, welcoming him into his new role, Sir David said: ‘Building a strong and united leadership team will be crucial for ensuring that the NMC earns the trust and confidence of our colleagues, nursing and midwifery professionals and of the public we serve. I believe Paul has the experience, drive and personal values to do just that.
‘I also want to thank Helen Herniman for her superb leadership of the NMC since July. She took over at a very difficult time and has shown great commitment and dedication as acting chief executive and registrar.’
