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Capital Midwife Global Majority Fellowship

Developing diverse leaders for London maternity services: improving outcomes for women, babies, and families

FNF is working in partnership with NHS England London to deliver the 2027 Capital Midwife Fellowship.

Applications are open to global majority midwives working in London.

The programme aims to develop a more diverse and inclusive future leadership pipeline for London maternity services, while equipping Fellows to lead change and improve outcomes for women, babies, and families.

The Fellowship recognises that effective leaders are developed through a combination of self-awareness, experiential learning, reflection, and practical application. The programme offers an integrated leadership journey, supporting Fellows to understand themselves as leaders, strengthen their confidence and influence, lead quality improvement, work effectively across complex systems and proactively shape their future careers.

Over six months (January to June 2027), the programme will strengthen the candidate’s leadership and quality improvement (QI) skills while building a robust network of peers, mentors, coaches, and sponsors to support their professional development during the Fellowship and beyond.

  • The Fellowship programme includes 12 days of formal learning and development activity.
  • The programme is 14 days in total which includes the initial introductory day and celebration event.
  • Successful candidates will be released for 7 days (approx. 50%) of the time by their trust and be required to use their own time for the other 50%. This is a continued agreement from 2025 between the Regional Maternity Team, Trust Directors of Midwifery and FNF.

Partners

Background of the Fellowship

The Capital Midwife Fellowship was established in response to the Turning the Tide report, which highlighted persistent inequalities in career progression and representation within the midwifery workforce. Commissioned by the for NHS London Chief Midwife, and coproduced by the author of Turning the Tide, workforce race equality leaders, professional bodies and representatives from global majority midwifery networks, the Fellowship is designed to support experienced Band 6 and Band 7 midwives from global majority backgrounds to progress into leadership roles.

Since 2021, the programme has successfully delivered four cohorts across London, with over 100 Fellows completing the Fellowship and developing the confidence, skills and networks needed to take the next step in their leadership journey. This year marks an exciting new chapter as we are partnering with NHS England London to deliver the programme. Building on feedback from previous Fellows, Directors of Midwifery and system partners, the Fellowship has been further strengthened to enhance the learning experience and maximise its impact.

Programme Details

The programme will run between 11 January and 30 June 2026, It will consist of the following components:

  • Leadership Development Workshops: Combination of face-to-face and virtual learning sessions delivered over the six months.
  • Quality Improvement Project: Design, implement and evaluate a workplace-based QI project with support from the Fellowship team.
  • Mentoring and Coaching: Access to professional support and guidance to enhance leadership development and career progression.
  • Action Learning Sets: Facilitated peer learning and reflection sessions to support problem-solving and shared learning.
  • Protected Learning Time: Dedicated time to focus on QI project development, engage with mentors, coaches, and sponsors, and undertake self-directed learning.
  • Peer Networking and Community Building: Opportunities to build relationships and develop a supportive professional network across London maternity services.
  • End of Programme Celebration Event

 

Benefits of Participating

By participating in the Fellowship, midwives will:

  • Build a network of connections to support their career and personal development.
  • Improve their understanding of their personal leadership style.
  • Develop greater self-presence, soft-skills and personal impact.
  • Develop their understanding of quality improvement and be able to lead QI projects.
  • Build their confidence in tackling real workplace issues.
  • Understand how to look after their wellbeing and access groups and resources that can support this.
  • Build increased support from their line manager and Trust.
  • Develop an awareness of opportunities available within maternity services, and the tools, techniques, and people that will help them to progress in their career.
  • Gain peer to peer support via the Capital Midwife Community of Practice Alumni.

The curriculum is underpinned by five integrated pillars:

  • Pillar 1 – Knowing Yourself (self-awareness and inclusive leadership)
  • Pillar 2 – Leading Improvement (quality improvement and innovation)
  • Pillar 3 – Leading Others (communication, influence, and coaching)
  • Pillar 4 – Leading Systems (political acumen and strategic leadership)
  • Pillar 5 – Leading Your Career (career progression, sponsorship, and professional impact)

FNF Alumni

Following the programme participants will also join the FNF alumni community and receive ongoing networking and leadership development opportunities through events, webinars, communications opportunities and policy thought leadership.

Further details

Eligibility Criteria

There are twenty to twenty-six places available on the Fellowship, with a commitment to offer at least one place to each maternity unit across London. Applications are welcome from midwives who meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Have been employed as a band 6 midwife for 3-5 years or Band 7 midwife for two or more years.
  • Have previously applied for promotion or a higher-banded role and would benefit from additional leadership development and support.
  • Are from the global majority groups who experience the greatest levels of discrimination, as identified through the NHS Staff Survey.

Exclusions

  • Are due to attend or currently attending another programme or higher education course.
  • Work in a trust outside of London.
Application process

If you are interested in applying for the Fellowship, please complete the following steps;

Step 1
Meet with your Director of Midwifery and Head of Midwifery to:

  • Discuss your suitability
  • Confirm eligibility
  • Discuss a potential QI project

Step 2
Submit your Expression of Interest including:

  • Why you wish to participate (250 word limit)
  • A brief outline of the proposed Quality Improvement (QI) project (no word limit)

Deadline for applications is midnight on October 6 2026.

Step 3
For those who are successful in securing a place, you will need to complete the Fellowship Agreement document.

  • Jointly signed by participant and Director of Midwifery

 

For any queries regarding the programme, please contact both academy@florence-nightingale-foundation.org.uk and england.capitalmidwife@nhs.net

Sponsorship and Local Agreement
  • Director of Midwifery endorsement and support to complete the programme.
  • Trust financial support needed to complete the fellowship.
  • Cohort members must also have locally agreed potential QI projects sign off.
  • Capital Midwife Fellowship to nominate a sponsor (at Band 8c or above) who can commit two hours over six months to support the Fellow’s development.
Expectations from participants

Before you apply, carefully consider whether you would be able to meet the below expectations for the programme. We of course know that circumstances change but we ask that you consider your own individual circumstances before applying.

  • Fellows are expected to attend all scheduled learning sessions. Repeated absence from the programme or attending less than 80% of the scheduled delivery dates may result in removal from the programme.
  • Complete a QI project.
  • Engage with mentoring/coaching opportunities.
  • Participate in Action Learning Sets.
  • Contribute to the Community of Practice.
  • Act as an ambassador for the programme.

Apply Now

Once you have read all the ‘Further Details’ please submit your Expression of interest at the link here. The deadline for submission is 6 October 2026.