Dave Dawes and Carol Popplestone have been elected to the leadership roles of the RCN’s Council.
Mr Dawes is has served as Chair of the RCN North West Board and as a forum chair, branch officer and RCN Congress Agenda Committee member over a 30 year career. Most recently he has been the Honorary Treasurer of RCN Council.
Mr Dawes was elected on a platform of four key priorities in the role of Chair. They are:
- creating a cohesive team on RCN Council
- rebuilding trust between RCN Council and the executive directors
- rebuilding trust between RCN members and the executive directors
- re-establishing the authority of RCN Council in the eyes of the membership.
‘I’m determined to make sure the voice of members is heard and believe we can achieve great things if we work together,’ said Mr Dawes.
‘I’m confident I can help steer the organisation through the immediate challenges it faces, so we emerge stronger and focused on the priorities that matter most to members. The RCN works best when it listens to and speaks for all our members and I will be starting that direct dialogue straightaway.’
Ms Popplestone has been a registered nurse since 1978 and works as a clinical nurse specialist for Macmillan, developing and providing a nurse-led service for patients with urological cancers. She is an accredited RCN steward and was a member of the RCN UK Stewards Committee from 2013 to 2016, and has also previously served as a member of the RCN Trade Union Committee and as Chair of the RCN Yorkshire and the Humber Board.
‘I’m proud to be taking on the role of Vice Chair of RCN Council and am looking forward to using my experience to best meet the needs of members,’ said Ms Popplestone.
‘I’m committed to listening, learning and responding to what members tell us so we are truly representative of the nursing profession.’
Mr Dawes and Ms Popplestone’s terms of office begin immediately and will conclude at the end of 2021.
‘I would like to congratulate Dave and Carol on their elections to Chair and Vice Chair of RCN Council and look forward to working with them both closely,’ said Dame Donna Kinnair RCN Chief Executive and General Secretary.
‘This is an incredibly important time for the College, as we fight to secure safe staffing and fair pay, and together we will work for our members.’