Professor Gemma Stacey to lead the Nursing Now Challenge as new Programme Director

The Nursing Now Challenge is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Gemma Stacey as its new Programme Director.

Professor Stacey was selected from a very strong field of applicants following a competitive recruitment process, reflecting the outstanding calibre of leadership and commitment within the global nursing community.

“I’m honoured and excited to join the Nursing Now Challenge at such a pivotal time for global health,” said Professor Stacey. “Early-career nurses and midwives are the future of healthcare, and I’m passionate about creating opportunities that elevate them to lead transformational change in their communities and beyond. What an incredible privilege to work alongside such talented professionals from around the world. The energy, innovation, and dedication of this global community is truly inspiring. I’m looking forward to learning from their diverse perspectives while supporting them to become the transformational leaders our healthcare systems urgently need.”

Professor Gemma Stacey is the Associate Dean for Practice in the School of Social Sciences at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), where she leads strategic knowledge exchange and external engagement initiatives that translate research, education, and practice into real-world impact through partnerships and collaborative action. A Mental Health Nurse by background, she bridges academia, healthcare practice, and charity sector leadership, bringing deep insight to workforce development and healthcare transformation.

Gemma’s career began as a Community Mental Health Nurse at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, where she worked for sixteen years while simultaneously building her academic portfolio. This dual practice–academia pathway shaped her enduring commitment to connecting research with frontline care. At the University of Nottingham, she advanced from Research Associate to Associate Professor and served as Director of Public Engagement, establishing her reputation for making research accessible and actionable. Gemma’s subsequent role as Deputy Chief Executive at Florence Nightingale Foundation, further developed her ability to develop and deliver transformational leadership development programmes at scale and create platforms for networks of nurses and midwives to significantly influence policy and practice. 

Clare Cable, Chief Executive Officer of The Burdett Trust for Nursing, said:
“The trustees and staff of The Burdett Trust for Nursing are absolutely delighted to welcome Gemma to the Nursing Now Challenge Programme Director role. She brings a wealth of experience, and she truly embodies person-centred leadership. As a mental health nurse, she brings a wonderful relational approach and we are so looking forward to working with her.”

Dame Christine Beasley, Chair of the Nursing Now Challenge Advisory Board, added:
“I am delighted to welcome Gemma as the new Programme Director for the Nursing Now Challenge. The knowledge, experience and passion she brings to this role will enable her to lead the future development of the programme as it supports global nursing leadership.” 

Professor Stacey will begin her role as Programme Director in December 2025, joining the Nursing Now Challenge on secondment from NTU, where she will continue to serve as Associate Dean for Practice. 

“On behalf of NTU, we are delighted to support the Nursing Now Challenge through Gemma’s appointment as Programme Director. At NTU we are committed to driving positive change for healthcare leadership within the UK and across the globe and recognise the Nursing Now Challenge as being a key mechanism for delivering this transformation both locally and internationally,” explained Professor Daragh McDermott, Executive Dean of the School of Social Sciences.

About the Burdett Trust for Nursing

The Burdett Trust for Nursing is an independent charitable trust that was set up in 2002 to support nurse-led projects, using its funds to empower nurses and make significant improvements to patient care. The Burdett Trust for Nursing is proud to have funded the Nursing Now Challenge since its launch in 2021, following the success of the Nursing Now campaign. Learn more here: https://www.btfn.org.uk/

About Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has been named UK ‘University of the Year’ five times in six years, (Times Higher Education Awards 2017, The Guardian University Awards 2019, The Times and Sunday Times 2018 and 2023, Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023) and is consistently one of the top performing modern universities in the UK. NTU is a holder of the University Mental Health Charter recognising the commitment an institution has shown towards continuous improvement in the area of mental health and wellbeing. Find more information here: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/