The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has appointed an interim chief executive and registrar to lead the organisation while it looks for a permanent successor.
Chief people officer and lead director at the Crown Prosecution Service Dawn Brodrick will replace Andrea Sutcliffe who is due to step down on 4 July due to ill health.
Ms Bodrick, who will take up the lead NMC role on an interim basis, previously worked as chief people officer at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and director of people and change for the Department of Communities and Local Government.
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The regulator said Ms Bodrick joins the NMC at a ‘crucial and challenging time’ as it works to improve its regulatory and fitness to practise processes.
The NMC is also awaiting the findings of an independent review of its culture, and investigations into its handling of whistleblowing concerns.
Ms Brodrick, who will take up the post on 1 July, said she was ‘excited’ for her new role.
‘I look forward to supporting my new colleagues, and collaborating with the NMC’s partners and stakeholders to ensure a high standard of nursing and midwifery care for everyone,’ she added.
‘I understand that I will be joining the NMC at a challenging time. I’m passionate about working with people to create positive cultural change, and supporting organisations through improvements.’
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She added: ‘I hope that my 30 years of experience will help to impact NMC colleagues, nursing and midwifery colleagues, stakeholders and the public for the better.’
Sir David Warren, chair of the NMC Council, said: ‘On behalf of the Council, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Dawn as our interim chief executive and registrar.
‘I’m confident that her distinguished career in public service and leadership will prove invaluable as we reflect on the findings and recommendations of independent scrutiny of our work, and continue the process of change.’
Sir David also paid tribute to Ms Sutcliffe who recently announced she would be stepping down from the role following the identification of a tumour that requires neurosurgery.
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‘I’d also like to reiterate my thanks to Andrea Sutcliffe for her five years of dedicated service to the NMC, to the regulation of our professions, and to the safety of the public,’ he said.
‘We wish Andrea a full recovery from the operation she is about to have, and all our best wishes for the future.’
