Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Journal of Midwifery (BJM) Practice Awards on 7 February.
During her 40-year career in midwifery, Ms Warwick has held a number of senior roles including director of midwifery at King's College Hospital, London, and chair of the Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC) Midwifery Committee. She has been a vocal advocate for supporting women's choice and improving maternity services in the UK. Ms Warwick said the key principle of her career had been always striving to put the woman at the centre of care.
Presenting the award, BJM editor-in-chief Professor Dame Tina Lavender praised Ms Warwick for 'looking out for women and looking after midwives' throughout her career. Ms Warwick is set to retire from her role at the RCM in August 2017.
Earlier in the evening, the Midwife of the Year accolade was awarded to Kathryn Gutteridge, consultant midwife at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust. Ms Gutteridge is the founder of Sanctum Midwives, an organisation that challenges stigma around sexual abuse and its impact during motherhood.
Jonathan Cliffe, a midwife at Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Trust, said of the awards ceremony: 'It was a fantastic evening, full of positivity. It was great to celebrate midwives and share some amazing innovations.'
For a full list of winners, visit the BJM website.