Deborah Sturdy was appointed as the first chief nurse for adult social care in 2021. She has held a number of previous roles including senior posts in practice, research and policy, in both social care services and the NHS. She was appointed the expert nurse on the Gosport Independent Panel, the report of which was laid before Parliament in 2018. She is a passionate care sector advocate and believes the workforce is its greatest asset. Developing careers, opening new pathways of opportunity and boosting recognition of care colleagues’ skills, value and expertise are, in her view, vital to the future success of the profession.

Ms Sturdy holds three visiting chairs in nursing at Manchester Metropolitan, Buckinghamshire New and Coventry universities. She has written numerous papers for publications and presented at national and international meetings. She was awarded a CBE in the 2023 Honour’s list and an OBE in 2017. She is a fellow of the Queen’s Nursing Institute and the RCN, and received the British Geriatrics Society President’s Medal for her contribution to older people’s nursing, the first nurse to receive this award.