Scottish Government News

28/07/25 11:50

Professor Aisha Holloway appointed Chief Nursing Officer

Health Secretary welcomes new appointment.

Professor Aisha Holloway has been appointed as Scotland’s Chief Nursing Officer (CNO).

She will take up the role in November following an external recruitment process.

Professor Holloway currently serves as the Chair of Nursing Studies at The University of Edinburgh, is the Programme Director for the Nursing Now Challenge, and is an Adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. She is also a Fellow of both the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Nursing.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said:

“I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Professor Holloway on her appointment as Chief Nursing Officer.

“With 30 years’ research experience in the fields of alcohol-related harm, public health and workforce, and a strong focus on health policy, she will play a key role in our plans to improve the NHS in the coming years.

“Her national and international experience will help focus our efforts to ensure that people across Scotland will continue to access the right care, in the right place.

“I would also like to express my thanks to Anne Armstrong for her support and service in the interim and look forward to continuing to work with her as she returns to Deputy Chief Nursing Officer.”

Professor Holloway said:

“It's a huge privilege to be appointed as the new Chief Nursing Officer for Scotland. The challenge ahead is great, but one that requires a clear and unwavering focus on improving the health of the people of Scotland.

“Those that constitute the NHS health and social care workforce across sectors, have always been the beating heart of this most beloved institution. They must be valued and respected as their contribution, knits together the very fabric of our society and wellbeing.

“The work we must do now together, will address not only the current demands we face but is an investment into the health of future generations.

“I very much look forward to working in meaningful and inclusive ways, to fulfil our full potential, to influence and to impact health outcomes across Scotland."

Background

Professor Holloway co-founded and is co-director of the Edinburgh Global Nursing Initiative.

She has held several government and non-government advisory and executive board roles in the UK and overseas. She was a member of the State of the World’s Nursing Steering Committee and recently spent a year as a Consultant at the World Health Organisation in Geneva.

The CNO role was advertised as a fair and open external recruitment process and was chaired by a Civil Service Commissioner, in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles.

The CNO has professional responsibility for the nursing workforce and is also responsible for professional leadership and advice in relation to healthcare associated infection and antimicrobial resistance.

The CNO Directorate includes professional responsibility for the midwifery, allied health professions and healthcare science workforce and provides policy advice for ministers on a wide range of health-related policy areas including professional healthcare regulation.

Contact Information

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