Mark Addison has been named as the new chairman of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
He is joining from his role as a non-executive director at the National Archives and has previously held several senior positions in the civil service, many with an operational focus, as well as roles at Downing Street and in the Cabinet Office. He will take up post in the autumn and the appointment will be for 18 months initially.
Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, said of the appointment: “Strong and effective professional regulation of nurses and midwives is crucial if we are to ensure public protection and confidence.
“I am very pleased to welcome Mark's appointment. He has the experience and ability to make the changes needed to turn the Nursing and Midwifery Council into a confident, capable and respected regulator. He has held a number of senior posts in regulatory and delivery organisations and is well respected for the many skills he has demonstrated during his career.”
His appointment comes after critical findings from a Council for Health Regulatory Excellence report.
Addison said: “That report makes clear that the organisation is moving in the right direction and that the staff have the ability and motivation to manage these changes and emerge stronger. That gives a strong platform on which to build.
“I know that all those with an interest in the Nursing and Midwifery Council are concerned about its current position and I will be keen to draw upon their support. Above all, I look forward to working with members and staff to ensure the organisation is the efficient and effective guardian of public safety and professional standards that it needs to be. That will not happen overnight, but I am confident that it can be achieved.
