RoSPA has announced the appointment of Mary Watkins, Baroness Watkins of Tavistock, as a member of its presidential team.

Baroness Watkins brings a wealth of experience from her distinguished career in nursing, healthcare leadership, and public service, further strengthening RoSPA’s commitment to championing safety and preventing accidents.

The RoSPA presidential team comprises Deputy President Baroness Margaret Eaton and Life President Lord Jordan, and as Vice President, Baroness Watkins will contribute to the presidential team’s vital role in bringing RoSPA’s voice to the halls of Westminster.

A crossbencher in the Lords, Baroness Watkins’s career spans over four decades, during which she has held pivotal roles in healthcare, academia, and the House of Lords.

Initially training at the Wolfson School of Nursing, Westminster Hospital, and the South London and Maudsley Nursing School, she completed her PhD from King’s College London as a Florence Nightingale Foundation Scholar. Her dedication to nursing and healthcare leadership was further demonstrated in her roles as Emeritus Professor of Healthcare Leadership and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Plymouth University and Visiting Professor of Nursing at King’s College London.

In welcoming the appointment, Rebecca Hickman, RoSPA’s Chief Executive said: “Throughout Baroness Watkins’s professional life, she has shown unwavering dedication to the health, safety and wellbeing of our communities, which is why we are thrilled she now sits on RoSPA’s presidential team.

“As we head into the launch of a new national accident prevention campaign, having Baroness Watkins as part of the RoSPA team will be a powerful addition to our work and we are looking forward to making change together.”

In addition to her academic achievements, Baroness Watkins has served on the NHS England Board since January 2023, co-chaired the World Health Organisation’s review of the State of the World Nursing, and led the Burdett Trust’s Nursing Now initiative. She has also contributed extensively to policy and legislative matters as a member of various committees in the House of Lords and holds influential roles in several All-Party Parliamentary Groups, particularly those related to health and safety.

Commenting on her new role, Baroness Watkins said: “I am honoured to join RoSPA’s presidential team and to contribute to an organisation that has such a profound impact on the safety and wellbeing of communities. My career has been dedicated to improving health and safety standards, and I look forward to working with RoSPA to advance these crucial issues, particularly in areas such as road safety, child protection, and community healthcare.”

Baroness Watkins’ appointment reflects RoSPA’s ongoing commitment to harnessing the expertise of leading professionals to drive forward its vital work. RoSPA looks forward to the valuable insights and leadership she will bring to the team.