The Royal College of Nursing has appointed Janet Davies to serve as its chief executive and general secretary, replacing Dr Peter Carter.
Ms Davies was previously the RCN's director of nursing and service delivery. She has been a director of the RCN for the past nine years, and was the chief executive of the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service prior to joining the RCN.
She said: 'I am delighted and honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the world's largest professional union of nursing staff. I have been an RCN member for over 20 years, and have been proud to work for an organisation that does so much to promote nursing and high quality patient care.'
She will take up the post when Dr Carter steps down from the role in July. Dr Carter announced his resignation from the post in February, after spending eight years in the position. He said: 'I am delighted that Janet will be taking over from me. I know she will do a great job of building on the many strengths of the RCN.'
Ms Davies added: 'These are challenging times for nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants, and I will work to ensure that their talent and dedication is properly recognised and that their voice continues to be heard loudly and clearly in the debate about the future shape of healthcare in the UK.'