Joshua Parker-Walsh, Chair

Member for West Midlands, January 2025 - December 2026

Biography to follow.

Ben White, Vice Chair

Member for East Midlands, January 2026 - December 2027

Felix Adesanya

Student member of RCN Council, January 2025 - December 2026

Ademola Felix Adesanya is a second-year Adult Nursing student at Teesside University. He is originally from Nigeria, and belongs to the Yoruba ethnic group, often referred to as ‘The Omoluabi’. Ademola’s journey into nursing is deeply rooted in his passion for healthcare and his desire to make a significant impact in the lives of others.

Ademola completed a degree in Microbiology in 2018/2019 at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic in Ogun, Nigeria. This laid a strong foundation in biological sciences and was instrumental in shaping his approach to nursing. While studying, Ademola was actively involved in student leadership and advocacy. He served as the General Secretary for the National Association of Science Technology Students (NASTES) during the 2018/2019 session, a role that honed his skills in advocating for science students’ rights and needs. He was also the Branch President for the Anglican Student Fellowship during the same period, a position which developed his leadership and community building abilities. His commitment to student activism was recognized when he received the NASTES Student Right Activist of the Year award in 2019, affirming his dedication to advocating for student rights.

At Teesside University, he is a Student Panel Member, collaborating on enhancing student experiences through feedback and strategic initiatives aimed at improving academic environments. Parallel to his studies, Ademola works as a Healthcare Assistant with NHS Professionals, applying his theoretical knowledge in practical settings. He is an Student Ambassador for the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), where he engages with fellow nursing students, providing guidance and support while promoting RCN values and objectives. Outside of his studies, professional and advocacy work, Ademola enjoys watching football matches, playing video games and engaging in indoor games.

Victoria Plant

Member for Eastern, January 2026 - December 2027

Biography to follow.

Beyonce Morris

Member for London, January 2026 - December 2026

Biography to follow.

David Punshon

Member for Northern, January 2026 - December 2027

Biography to follow.

Elizabeth McCorriston

Member for Northern Ireland, January 2026 - December 2026

Biography to follow.

Siobhan Barry

Member for Northern Ireland, January 2026 - December 2027

Biography to follow.

Lorraine Greathead

Member for North West, January 2025 - December 2026

Biography to follow.

Elizabeth Moffat

Member for Scotland, January 2025 - December 2026

Biography to follow.

Ellie-Jo Pratt

Member for Scotland, January 2026 - December 2027

Biography to follow.

Mary Bichard

Member for South East, January 2025 - December 2026

Biography to follow.

Genevieve Twining

Member for South West, January 2026 - December 2027

Biography to follow.

Samantha Hawkins

Member for Wales, January 2025 - December 2026

Biography to follow.

Phillip Smallcombe

Member for Wales, January 2026 - December 2027

Biography to follow.

Allyson Omoniyi

Member for Yorkshire & the Humber, January 2025 - December 2026

Biography to follow.

Sophie du Plessis

Member of the Professional Nursing Committee and ex-officio member of the Students Committee, January 2026 - December 2027

Sophie is a first-year MNurs Adult and Mental Health Nursing student at King’s College London. With a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Toronto, she brings academic insight, lived experience, and frontline care work to her dual registration training. Prior to starting her nursing course, Sophie worked full-time as an HCA in Pre-Operative Assessment, developing a strong foundation in person-centred, evidence-based care. Her recent placements have spanned acute medical, surgical, and mental health inpatient units, where she has relished the opportunity to work as part of skilled multidisciplinary teams and learn from accomplished mentors and leaders in the field.

Sophie is passionate about people - advocacy, inclusivity, and accessibility are at the heart of what she does. She has a particular interest in early intervention and community-based care. She recently had the opportunity to present a policy proposal at a university event, where she focused on early intervention for eating disorders in community fitness settings. She is now collaborating informally with Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, to help develop accredited training resources for gym and fitness professionals. As part of her commitment to removing barriers to care, she is also working towards her Level 2 British Sign Language qualification. Sophie is dedicated to challenging stigma, supporting person-centred improvements in care, shaping health policy, and advocating for patients, staff, and the future of the profession. She aspires to enter the field of addiction and homelessness outreach upon graduation.

Mordecai Akoh

Member of the Trade Union Committee and ex-officio member of the Students Committee, January 2026 - December 2027

Mordecai Akoh is a final-year Adult Nursing student at Glasgow Caledonian University. As a student, he has taken on several leadership and advocacy roles, including as a Class Representative and as the Department Representative for the Department of Nursing and Community Health for the 2025/26 academic year. In these roles, he has acted as a representative voice for fellow students, supporting peers with academic and placement-related challenges by building relationships with senior university leadership, including the Principal, Deans and Head of Department to ensure student voices directly inform decision-making.  
 
As an RCN member, Mordecai serves as an RCN Student Ambassador, supporting fellow student nurses as they navigate their studies, placements and professional development, while promoting engagement with the RCN’s national student community. 
 
Alongside his studies, Mordecai works as a Healthcare Support Worker in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities with NHS Lothian (2024–present), giving him frontline insight into the realities facing nursing students in practice. His combined academic, professional and leadership experience equips him to advocate effectively for student funding, wellbeing, inclusion and fair access, ensuring every student voice is heard and valued.