I am delighted to confirm the appointment of Della Freeth as the RCP’s new executive director of education.
Della joins us from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) where she is pro-director (learning & teaching), with strategic oversight and leadership of the school’s education portfolio of research degrees, master's degrees, professional diplomas and continuing professional development.
You may be interested in Della's recent lecture at the LSHTM where she discusses her belief in the value of Learning to enhance lives, and reflects on the interplay of personal and contextual factors.
Della has a distinguished career in academic education leadership and research. She was previously director of research development and professor of professional education at the University of Bedfordshire, and professor of professional education, Centre for Medical Education, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD), Queen Mary University of London.
The executive team changes will ensure we have the right skills and experience in the right place to build on our achievements and lead the RCP's work across all its activity.
I believe Della will be an inspiring leader of our Education Directorate and member of the Executive Leadership Team. She joins us as we seek to build on the opportunities we are creating to grow and further enhance our learning services for members and fellows and the wider healthcare professions. It is an exciting time for the RCP’s education ambitions and I look forward to working with Della to deliver great learning products and experiences which enhance the profession and clinical care.
Della will be replacing Winnie Wade, who I am pleased will continue to work for the RCP but will reduce her hours and concentrate her time on education projects and in particular delivering highly regarded courses and expertise internationally and supporting the development of education at RCP North. It is great that the RCP will continue to benefit from Winnie’s expertise and that she will be free to focus on ensuring her knowledge and expertise has the most impact in the future. Della starts with us on 19 June.
I am also pleased to confirm that Matt Foster will be interim executive director of membership support and global engagement (MSGE) from 1 April, taking over from Clive Constable who has taken on new responsibilities as deputy chief executive and is also reducing his hours. I am delighted to have them working in these crucial areas for the RCP's future growth and service to members and fellows. There will be a formal appointment process for the executive director (MSGE) substantive position later in the year.
The executive team changes will ensure we have the right skills and experience in the right place to build on our achievements and lead the RCP's work across all its activity. We have a great team and partnership ethos between staff and officers, placing us strongly to provide service and products which are responsive to members and fellows, impacting on healthcare at home and abroad. Together, we continue to work on enabling all staff to realise that the RCP is a great place to work, that supports personal learning and career development. All of this, of course, is to ensure we have the best doctors providing the best healthcare possible.
Ian Bullock, chief executive officer