Rees, who was previously chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, will spend the coming weeks engaging with NMC colleagues and partners to understand and build a transformation plan that reflects the organisation's current challenges and opportunities.

He said: ‘I know I'm joining the organisation at a challenging time in its history. The public need us to operate at the top of our game, so we can ensure good, safe nursing and midwifery care for everyone. Our processes need to be faster, fairer and more effective for professionals, and our colleagues need to work in an environment that is respectful and psychologically safe.

‘Given the challenges we face, I want us to change at pace. I look forward to helping transform the NMC into an organisation that leads with fairness, inclusion, and excellence.'