NMC to appoint new heads of equality, diversity and inclusion

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is looking to recruit three senior figures to help change the culture at the organisation.

The regulator has begun recruitment efforts for an executive director of people and culture and two heads of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

It described the executive director of people and culture role as a strategic leadership post that will help deliver a ‘fit-for-purpose’ organisation.

The role will focus on embedding a ‘coaching culture’ at the organisation and will oversee a coaching programme to support leadership staff to embed EDI and ensure the psychological safety and satisfaction of staff.

The executive director of people and culture will also lead the NMC’s culture change team and work alongside the interim chief executive and registrar, Paul Rees, to deliver the regulator’s ‘culture transformation plan’, which will be published later this month.

Two new head of EDI roles are also being sought. One will have an internal focus on the NMC workforce, and the other will ensure that regulatory processes are fair, safe and equitable, and protect the public.

NMC chief executive and registrar Mr Rees said: ‘One of my priorities since I joined the NMC has been to formulate and roll out a culture transformation plan.

‘The plan is due to be published later this month, and the new executive director of people and culture will play a crucial leadership role in delivering this exciting programme of change.’

He added that the two new heads of EDI would also ‘support the transformation of our culture, strengthen our leadership and improve our regulatory outcomes’.

Mr Rees said that as well as renewing focus on EDI, the culture plan will target other areas like effective leadership and values-based decision making.

‘That is why our new colleagues will need to be values-driven and culturally competent experts who can provide visible, inclusive and inspirational leadership at the NMC,’ he added.

Last month, the regulator announced plans to ‘modernise’ its Code and revalidation guidance with a new focus on EDI outside of professional practice and use of social media.

In October, the NMC appointed Mac Alonge as an EDI advisor to its executive board and council for three months, to support efforts to build a more ‘equitable and inclusive’ culture at the regulator.

This comes after an independent review reported serious concerns about the regulator, including a ‘toxic culture’ of bullying, harassment and racism.

A second review into the regulator, focused on EDI, will be published by Ijeoma Omambala KC later this year.