Dr Natasha North named new FNF Academy director
A senior nurse educator has been appointed to lead on nursing education at one of the UK profession’s leading advocacy charities.
The Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF) announced this week that Dr Natasha North has been appointed as director of its academy.
“My commitment is to drive forward initiatives that not only support but also celebrate the crucial role of nurses and midwives in healthcare”
Natasha North
Dr North, a registered nurse with years of experience in nursing leadership, education and policy in multiple countries, will take on the role in August.
FNF’s academy is the education and development wing of the charity, which runs the well-regarded leadership scholarships many senior UK nurses and midwives have completed, including England’s outgoing chief nursing officer Dame Ruth May.
As FNF Academy director, Dr North will oversee these courses, as well as work on policy influencing and networking across the profession.
Dr North said of her appointment: “I am truly honoured to join the Florence Nightingale Foundation in this key role.
“My commitment is to drive forward initiatives that not only support but also celebrate the crucial role of nurses and midwives in healthcare.
“I have already met a number of the FNF team, as well as alumni and members, and it’s clear the passion and pride they all have for the nursing and midwifery professions and for the work of the foundation. I can’t wait to be part of the team.”
The experienced nursing educator has worked with FNF since September 2023 as its global faculty associate, leading on work to support nursing and midwifery leaders in Kenya.
Before that, Dr North had nursing roles at the University of Manchester, The Health Foundation, The King’s Fund and the UK Department of Health and Social Care, having begun her career as a nurse at the Royal London Hospital.
She completed a PhD in nursing workforce development at the University of Cape Town, where she is an associate professor of nursing.
While at the university, Dr North has run development programmes to improve nursing leadership across the African continent.
FNF chief executive Professor Greta Westwood added: “We are very excited Natasha will be joining our team. She brings a wealth of clinical, academic, and operational experience to the foundation in the pursuit of improving clinical excellence.
“The Academy has grown so much in its reach across the UK, and within the last year, the world. Together we will enter the next phase of the Academy’s work to do more for our professions, for more nurses and midwives.”
