Paul Rees confirmed as permanent NMC chief amid culture and regulatory overhaul

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has confirmed Paul Rees MBE as its permanent Chief Executive and Registrar, cementing his leadership role after serving in an interim capacity since January 2025. His appointment follows an open, external recruitment process, reflecting confidence in his transformative vision for the organisation. Paul Rees brought with him extensive experience in health and care leadership, particularly in driving cultural change, a crucial asset for an organisation grappling with legacy issues and aiming to improve its regulatory performance.

Upon joining, Rees quickly set about recalibrating the NMC’s culture and operations. By the end of March 2025, just over two months into his tenure, he unveiled a comprehensive three-year Culture Transformation Plan. This initiative was shaped by consultations with hundreds of NMC staff through town hall meetings, emphasising inclusivity and responsiveness to internal feedback. The plan includes key commitments such as signing the UNISON Anti-Racism Charter and implementing ambitious equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) targets. These targets seek to root out bias from regulatory processes and foster fairness across the workforce. Notably, the NMC has begun addressing its ethnicity pay gap by ensuring ethnically diverse shortlists for eligible candidates and has revamped its mentoring programme to benefit predominantly Black, Asian, and ethnic minority participants.

Alongside cultural reforms, regulatory improvements have been central to Rees’ mandate. The NMC has focussed considerable effort on accelerating its Fitness to Practise (FtP) processes. Data reveals marked progress: the proportion of FtP cases concluded within 15 months rose from 60.8% in July 2023 to 70.4% by June 2025. These gains signal a more efficient regulatory function, essential for the NMC’s core mission of public protection.

Rees’ permanent appointment also heralds a strengthening of the NMC’s executive leadership. In recent weeks, key appointments have included Ravi Chand CBE as Executive Director of People and Culture and Julia Corkey as Executive Director of Communications and Engagement. Emma Westcott has been confirmed in her permanent role as Executive Director of Strategy and Insight. These changes come in the wake of a challenging period for the NMC, during which multiple senior executives resigned, reflecting internal turbulence.

The urgency for change at the NMC was underscored by an independent Culture Review published in July 2024, which exposed systemic issues such as racism, bullying, and discrimination within the organisation. Media reports and insider accounts painted a picture of a ‘culture of fear’ that jeopardised both staff wellbeing and public trust. Paul Rees’ leadership has been defined by a commitment to addressing these failings and restoring integrity and accountability to the regulator.

Chair of the NMC Council, Ron Barclay-Smith, praised Rees’ contributions since his interim appointment, highlighting his immediate impact in setting the organisation on a sustainable path. Barclay-Smith expressed confidence that the NMC will evolve into a more inclusive workplace with a sharper focus on its regulatory duties, ultimately enhancing its ability to safeguard public safety.

In a sector where trust in regulatory bodies is paramount, the NMC’s ongoing transformation under Paul Rees’ stewardship will be closely watched by healthcare professionals and industry stakeholders alike. His appointment not only signals a new chapter for the regulator but also reinforces the importance of strong leadership committed to cultural change and operational excellence in health regulation.