Gifty Markey is a current FNF scholar, she is Associate Chief Nursing Officer for Mental Health, Learning Disability & Neurodiversity at Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust and is also joint Chair of the Chief Nursing Officer & Chief Midwifery Officer’s Black and Minority Ethnic Strategic Advisory Group, NHS England.
In this blog, Gifty shares her journey so far, the impact and opportunities it has presented and what comes next.
My journey as a scholar on the Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership scholarship has been both insightful and transformative. The most powerful lesson I have taken from this experience is that leadership begins with self-discovery. Leadership is not defined by title or position, but by influence—and influence starts with a deep understanding of who we are and how we show up for others.
“The programme began in May 2025 with an impactful three-day residential that set the foundation for my learning. A particularly defining experience was the Hart Ridge residential workshop ‘Leading with Influence and Authority’, where we were invited to develop and share our “Story of Self” with fellow scholars and senior leaders. This was the first time I had intentionally reflected on the moments in my life that shaped me as a leader. Through this process, I came to recognise that experiences I had once viewed as negative, including challenging childhood circumstances, had in fact been instrumental in building my resilience, determination, and tenacity. This realisation was both affirming and empowering.
Completing the MBTI personality assessment further deepened my self-awareness. It offered valuable insight into my leadership style, while helping me to better understand why those I work with and lead may approach situations differently. This awareness did not always come easily. At times, it challenged my assumptions and brought moments of discomfort. However, it ultimately enabled me to adapt my approach, create space for difference, and truly value the diversity of leadership styles within teams.
A defining strength of the programme has been its emphasis on coaching and mentoring. I was fortunate to benefit from this both through the scholarship programme and through the support of my Chief Nurse, Professor Steve Hams. These experiences provided a consistent opportunity for reflection, holding up a mirror to my behaviours and encouraging me to consider how I could lead with greater compassion, intention, and authenticity, always with others in mind.
This reflective journey was further strengthened during my time at RADA in November 2025. This experience challenged me to examine how my leadership style shapes my communication and how I connect with those I lead. It required me to begin unlearning behaviours that no longer served me and to step more confidently into my leadership space. I learned the importance of owning my successes, of not diminishing my voice, and of recognising that effective communication is not about how we speak, but how our message is received. Above all, I learned the importance of setting others up for success.
One of the most significant outcomes of my growth on the programme has been the confidence and courage to share my work on an international stage. In April 2026, I presented at a global nursing conference in Singapore as a keynote speaker, (photos above) sharing my quality improvement project: “Yes You Can”: A solution-focused model for developing inclusive leadership and career progression for nurses and midwives from minoritised ethnic backgrounds at North Bristol NHS Trust. This opportunity allowed me to connect with nurse leaders and researchers from across the world, an experience that would not have been possible without the stretch, belief, and confidence fostered through the FNF scholarship.
Looking ahead, I am excited to begin the Windsor Leadership Programme in June 2026, the next part of my scholarship programme, and to continue building on this journey of growth and development. I am also looking forward to sharing my experience so far with the new cohort of 2026-27 Scholars at their Welcome Day on 11 May.
Overall, this programme has been a powerful experience of self-discovery. It has reshaped how I lead, reinforcing the importance of reflection, self-awareness, and leading with purpose, always keeping others at the centre.”
