Fiona takes over from our outgoing Chair, John Calder, who steps down from Bliss’ Board having completed nine years on the Board, seven as Trustee and two as Chair.
Fiona is currently Professor Emerita in Health and Social Care at Kingston University and trustee at Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity. She was formerly Chair of Trustees of Princess Alice Hospice and Deputy Chair of the Court of Governors at Westminster University. With a background in community nursing and social policy, Fiona has held senior leadership positions in universities. As Dean at Kingston University and St George’s, she was responsible for training and development of the health and social care workforce in south west London. Through her research, writing and collaborations, she has advanced understanding of public engagement in health research and nursing care of older people. She has also addressed stark disparities in degree success for students of colour in higher education. In recognition of her contribution to nursing, Fiona was awarded CBE in the 2015 New Years Honours.
Fiona said:
“The work of Bliss has a deep resonance for me. I have three adult children and five grandchildren. As a family we remember Harry, our third child who died at 35 weeks and the days of acute anxiety after our youngest, Jonny was born prematurely and struggling in neonatal care. Now that little baby is a proud father. There is much in neonatal services to be proud of, but also many ways care can be better, fairer and more equitable for babies and their families. I am delighted to have been appointed as Chair of Bliss to be part of our movement for change at a pivotal moment when there is a lot to do.”
Caroline Lee-Davey, Chief Executive of Bliss, said:
“We’re thrilled to welcome Fiona to Bliss as our new Chair of Trustees. Fiona brings extensive governance and charity sector experience, as well as expertise across many areas including healthcare, policy and research, and she will contribute a huge amount to Bliss’ leadership.
“It is a critical time for neonatal services across the UK, with a real spotlight on neonatal care improvement. Fiona brings insight and understanding of the healthcare context in which we operate, as well as deep empathy for the babies and families we are here to serve, which will help ensure our strategy and future plans remain grounded in our vision to ensure that every baby born premature or sick has the best chance of survival and quality of life.
“We’re also very grateful to our outgoing Chair, John Calder, for his contribution to Bliss over the last nine years. We know he will remain a committed supporter, as he has been since the loss of his precious daughter Chloe, born prematurely in late 2016, including through his current #Chloe10for10 fundraising challenge.”
