Lindsay was previously the operational manager for the South East region in the RCN's Newbury office and was also interim regional director in the South East last year.
She is an experienced nursing leader, having qualified as a registered nurse from the Nightingale School of Nursing in 1989.
Lindsay worked in a variety of acute surgical settings in West Sussex and Oxford before moving into community health care as a district nurse specialist practitioner. She returned to the acute hospital sector in 2005 to lead on the integration and relocation of two specialised outpatient departments to a new building, which involved reorganising both nursing teams. In a change of career direction, she became a senior officer for the RCN in 2009.
Sabbatical
In 2018 Lindsay had a six-week sabbatical, volunteering with Global Vision Initiative in Laos, South East Asia to promote women's empowerment initiatives in local communities in support of three of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals - namely, gender equality, reduced inequalities and quality education. Through teaching English and delivering life skill workshops she played a significant role in increasing disadvantaged women's access to education, aiming to improve their employment opportunities and quality of life.
Lindsay enjoys taking a prominent role in teams, providing direction and championing high standards and positive change. As a trained coach, her passion is developing others to fulfil their potential. She is keen to amplify the voices of RCN members and committed to advancing nursing and nursing practice.
Recently, she led the work on the pay disputes between RCN members and the states of Guernsey and Jersey, both of which involved the historic step of seeking the agreement of RCN Council, the College's governing body, to take industrial action.
Lindsay said: "I'm thrilled to be joining the RCN team in the West Midlands as regional director. The consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak mean that it obviously won't be the most conventional start to a new job, but I've been with the RCN for a number of years and I also know we have some very experienced and knowledgeable RCN representatives and staff in the West Midlands.
'Strong foundation'
"That is a strong foundation to have as we support members and the nursing profession through the current challenges and beyond."
Prof Rod Thomson, RCN Council member for the West Midlands, welcomed Lindsay into post, saying: "As a member of the panel that interviewed Lindsay, it was clear that she has the right balance of knowledge, skills and experience to take on this role at what is a very challenging time for our members."
Mark Butler, Chair of the RCN West Midlands Board, said: "I'm really looking forward to Lindsay joining our team in the West Midlands. She has an impressive track record in her career with the RCN."
Both Rod and Mark also thanked Sheila Marriott, the RCN's regional director in the East Midlands, for covering the West Midlands in addition to her own region since January.
