RCN appoints permanent General Secretary and Chief Executive

Following a comprehensive and external recruitment process, Professor Nicola Ranger has accepted RCN Council’s offer to be the RCN’s next permanent General Secretary and Chief Executive.

Nicola joined the RCN in 2022 having previously been Chief Nurse and Executive Director of Midwifery at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London. Before that, she held chief nurse posts at both Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust. Earlier in her career, she worked at America’s George Washington University Hospital in Washington and at Mount Sinai Medical Centre in New York. 

Nicola became our Acting General Secretary and Chief Executive in May when Professor Pat Cullen stepped down to stand for election as an MP in the recent general election. 

The RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive leads the organisation alongside the Executive Team and in partnership with RCN Council, the College’s governing body. Recruitment to the role was overseen by a group of elected members representing RCN Council and the Remuneration Committee.  

Chair of RCN Council Paul Vaughan said: "On behalf of RCN Council, I’d like to congratulate Nicola. We are very much looking forward to working with her and know she will be a passionate and powerful advocate for our staff, our College and all parts of the nursing workforce. Nicola has unparalleled experience as a nurse leader, and she enjoys the strongest reputation in our profession. She will relish the chance to deliver for all parts of our membership; work with RCN members, employers, systems and ministers across the UK; and make an immediate impact with the new Westminster government."

Professor Nicola Ranger said: “To be asked to take on this role, on behalf of my profession, is a great honour and immense privilege.

“There is an opportunity right now, not just for renewal but to make huge progress and strides forward for nursing and the people we care for. New leadership in Westminster, the regulator and senior parts of the NHS as well as here at the College gives fresh energy and new perspectives on how we work together in the interests of the profession and patients.

“I firmly believe that nursing is the best profession and every nurse and support worker carries a great responsibility and honour when doing what we do. I will work tirelessly to build upon the great history of the Royal College of Nursing, to demonstrate its value to every nursing professional – covering every role, setting, workplace and country – and make an undeniable case for investment in nursing as the best way to transform services and improve outcomes.”