The Queen’s Nursing Institute Announces New Chief Executive
4 March 2025
The Queen’s Nursing Institute has announced that Steph Lawrence MBE will become the next Chief Executive of the charity.
Steph will succeed Dr Crystal Oldman CBE, who has led the charity since 2012. Steph will take up the position on 1 July 2025. Steph was appointed following a national recruitment process over the past two months.
Steph Lawrence commented:
I am delighted to have been offered the post of CEO at the QNI. This is such an exciting time for community nursing, and I am excited to take on this role. Crystal has been an amazing leader at the QNI, and I am honoured to be able to take on this role and continue the work and leading her team. I will take up post later this year and, in the meantime, will continue in my current role and have the opportunity to gain insights and experience from Crystal during this period.
Professor John Unsworth OBE, the QNI’s Chair of Council commented:
The Council were delighted to appoint Steph Lawrence MBE as the next Chief Executive of the Queen’s Nursing Institute. Steph has extensive experience in a variety of community nursing and national leadership roles. With more than 35 years’ experience, she is well placed to lead the Institute into its next phase supporting community nursing and nurses.
Dr Crystal Oldman CBE commented:
Steph is passionate about ensuring high quality nursing care for individuals, families and carers in their homes and other community settings. She is also a community nurse of exceptional experience and talent who has already achieved so much in her career. The QNI is fortunate to have Steph as its next chief executive and I look forward to seeing the QNI go from strength to strength under her leadership, building on what we have achieved.
Steph was born and has spent most of her working life in Yorkshire. She has been a nurse for more than 37 years with the last 22 years spent working in the community. As well as being a Registered Nurse for adults, she also holds qualifications in children’s nursing, district nursing and advanced practice and is a non-medical prescriber. Steph was previously the Chief Nurse at Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust. She also spent three years working at the CQC as the National Professional Adviser for Community Services.
Steph led the national trailblazer group for the District Nurse Apprenticeship standard which is now being delivered in many English universities. She also co-chaired the Clinical Reference Group for the National Community Nursing plan for several years.
She was recognised in HM The Queen’s 2022 Jubilee Birthday Honours and received an MBE for services to District Nursing. Steph continues to practice clinically as a District Nurse. She is a Queen’s Nurse and Fellow of the QNI.
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