Leading district nurse Steph Lawrence has been appointed as the new chief executive for the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI).
Ms Lawrence will take the helm of the community nursing charity from 1 July 2025, replacing long-serving chief executive Dr Crystal Oldman.
“This is such an exciting time for community nursing, and I am excited to take on this role”
Steph Lawrence
Since October 2024, Ms Lawrence has been the QNI’s director of nursing and deputy chief executive.
Joining the nursing register in 1990, she has spent the majority of her career working in the community and continues to practise clinically as a district nurse.
Last summer, she retired from her role as executive nursing director at Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust but told Nursing Times she wanted to remain involved in nursing.
Over her career, Ms Lawrence has been involved in national work to progress community nursing, including the trailblazer group for the district nurse apprenticeship.
In 2022, she was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to district nursing.
The QNI said Ms Lawrence’s appointment came after a two-month national recruitment process.
Queen’s Nurse Ms Lawrence said she was “delighted” to have been offered the job.
“This is such an exciting time for community nursing, and I am excited to take on this role,” she added.
“Crystal has been an amazing leader at the QNI, and I am honoured to be able to take on this role and continue the work and leading her team.
“I will take up post later this year and, in the meantime, will continue in my current role and have the opportunity to gain insights and experience from Crystal during this period.”
Dr Oldman welcomed Ms Lawrence’s appointment.
She said: “Steph is passionate about ensuring high quality nursing care for individuals, families and carers in their homes and other community settings.
“She is also a community nurse of exceptional experience and talent who has already achieved so much in her career.
“The QNI is fortunate to have Steph as its next chief executive and I look forward to seeing the QNI go from strength to strength under her leadership, building on what we have achieved.”
