NMC appoints Emma Westcott as executive director to lead cultural reform and restore trust
In a significant step towards stabilising its leadership, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has appointed Emma Westcott as its executive director of strategy and insight. Having worked at the NMC since 2011, Westcott has been instrumental in shaping nursing and midwifery standards in the UK. Her role becomes substantive following a period as acting director, which she began in February 2025 after the sudden departure of Kuljit Dhillon, who was serving in an interim capacity. Paul Rees, interim chief executive and registrar of the NMC, expressed confidence in Westcott's capabilities, stating that she would bring essential organisational knowledge to the board.
Westcott's appointment occurs amid a broader cultural overhaul at the NMC, which has seen numerous high-profile resignations over the past year, including four departing executive directors amid criticisms regarding internal conduct. This exodus was part of a tumultuous period marked by a damning review that exposed serious issues of bullying, racism, and a toxic work environment. These findings have necessitated immediate reforms within the NMC, compelling the organisation to address its internal culture and serve its public safety mandate more effectively.
In response to the review, the NMC has committed itself to a series of reformative actions. Among these is the recruitment of an external Empowered to Speak Up Guardian, intended to bolster a supportive environment for staff to report concerns without fear of repercussion. Furthermore, the Council is actively seeking an equality, diversity, and inclusion advisor to enhance decision-making processes at the executive level. These actions are critical in implementing the review’s 36 recommendations and are aimed at fostering a culture of psychological safety and respect within the organisation.
Westcott's vision for her role underscores her commitment to elevating educational standards and ensuring that public care is both safe and equitable. She stated that her directorship will focus on ensuring that the NMC utilizes sound policy and evidence-based insights to navigate a period of necessary transformation. Her previous projects, including the introduction of nursing associates and advancements in midwifery regulation, demonstrate her capability in spearheading initiatives that reinvigorate public trust and uphold professional standards.
Paul Rees echoed this sentiment, reinforcing the importance of Westcott’s work in guiding the NMC through its ongoing improvement efforts and maintaining a responsive approach to the needs of nurses and midwives across the UK. This leadership shift, complemented by the recent appointment of Ravi Chand as executive director of people and culture, signals a decisive move towards embedding diversity and inclusion at the core of the NMC’s mission.
As the organisation continues on this transformative journey, the leadership’s resolve to address past failures while ensuring accountability is crucial to restoring stakeholder confidence. The NMC's commitment to embracing change, as demonstrated by these appointments and initiatives, could mark the start of a new chapter aimed at rebuilding its reputation and resolving the cultural issues that have plagued it for years. The pathway to improvement will not be without challenges, yet the establishment of strong leadership with clear objectives positions the NMC to enact meaningful change in the near future.
The stakes are high; with the health and safety of the public and the integrity of the nursing and midwifery professions at risk, achieving these cultural reforms is not merely necessary but imperative. As Westcott and her colleagues embark on this journey, the scrutiny they will face from stakeholders will serve as both a challenge and a catalyst for genuine improvement within the NMC.