The Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF) is thrilled to welcome Arlene Wellman, MBE as Strategic Adviser. With 27 years of NHS experience, Arlene is now bringing her leadership skills to FNF.
An FNF Scholar alumna, Arlene was most recently the Group Chief Nursing Officer at St George’s, Epsom & St Helier (GESH). She served as GESH’s most senior nursing leader since 2018, initially as Chief Nurse at Epsom and St Helier, and later as Group Chief Nurse. Arlene played a pivotal role in safeguarding staff and patients as Director of Infection Prevention and Control there, while also leading the nursing, midwifery, and allied health professional workforce. Her leadership was especially impactful during the COVID-19 pandemic, guiding the NHS through unprecedented challenges.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to nursing, Arlene was awarded an MBE in 2021. A passionate advocate for innovation and inclusion, Arlene spearheaded the development of the award-winning Ask Aunty app, designed to warmly welcome international nurses and midwives arriving in the UK.
Of her appointment Arlene said, “I am excited to begin the next chapter of my journey with the Florence Nightingale Foundation – an organisation I consider to be the ‘finishing school’ for future Chief Nursing Officers. In this role, I will draw on my experience as an NHS nurse and my journey as an internationally educated nurse to help build nursing and midwifery leadership capacity and capability, while continuing to champion improvements in health, clinical outcomes and patient experience.”
FNF Chief Executive Officer, Professor Greta Westwood, CBE, said, “We are honoured that Arlene has chosen FNF for the next chapter of her career and welcome her to the charity. Her wealth of experience, skills and passion will be invaluable as we continue to grow and strengthen our leadership development opportunities for nurses and midwives across the UK and globally.”
