Regional Director retires

Published: 17 December 2012

After thirty years with the Royal College of Nursing, Regional Director for Yorkshire and the Humber Kevin Austerberry has retired.
From taking tea with Edwina Currie to working with Polish nurses in Krakow, Kevin Austerberry’s career with the RCN has been varied and accomplished.
Joining the organisation back in 1982, Kevin worked his way through the ranks of the RCN to become Regional Director for Yorkshire & the Humber in the 1990’s.  Over the years he has represented many members through difficult times, been at the forefront of campaigning on behalf of nursing and the public and travelled to Poland to work on a special project helping to build the confidence of nurses there.
Looking back on his time at the organisation Kevin said:
 “It’s been a privilege to work in an organisation that does so much to influence health policy and support those who care for patients.  During my time at the RCN I have seen membership numbers grow significantly and our political influence as a professional trade union has become firmly established, as a force for change.  At the same time nursing itself has developed a great deal with the introduction of nurse prescribing, extended roles for nurses and moves towards an all graduate profession.  I will look back on my time at the RCN with pride”.
Glenn Turp, currently Regional Director of the RCN in the Northern region, will step into the role from 1 January 2013, becoming Regional Director for both regions.
 
Key points in Kevin’s career:
• Qualified as a nurse in 1978, worked as liaison officer between hospital and community services.
• He joined the RCN in 1982 as an Assistant RCN Officer, then as an RCN Officer, directly supporting members through difficult times at work.
• He became the Regional Director for Northern and Yorkshire in 1985 (later Yorkshire and the Humber).
• In the late 90’s and early 2000’s Kevin worked on a special project to help Polish nurses achieve better status and learn political influencing techniques. Travelling to Krakow, the delegation from the RCN led political leadership training and advised on ways of building capacity in the Polish Nurses’ Association.
• During his career he worked with four of the RCN’s seven General Secretaries, Trevor Clay, Christine Hancock, Beverley Marlone and now Peter Carter.
• Throughout his career Kevin met and discussed healthcare with high profile politicians and local MPs including Edwina Currie and Norman Lamont and more recently with MPs Nic Dakin, Caroline Flint, Rosie Winterton and Mary Creagh.