Elected RCN members | Royal College of Nursing

We work with nursing staff from across the UK, for nursing staff across the UK.

Here are just a handful of the fantastic members you've elected to represent our membership and take the lead for the nursing profession.

Meet some of our Council leaders

'I want members to know they belong in the RCN and be able to look at us on Council and say 'I could be there, I could do that''

Merseyside-based nurse practitioner Carmel O'Boyle is our new chair of Council. Alongside this, she's an RCN steward, and Chair of the Greater Liverpool & Knowsley Branch and RCN North West Board.

Watch Carmel's video below to learn how this self-described 'accidental activist' is committed to leading the Council to making bold, transparent decisions to advance the nursing profession.

Watch Carmel's journey

Chair of Council Carmel O'Boyle speaking at RCN Congress podum

'Everybody's valued and has a part to play in the RCN and our profession'

Our newly elected Vice Chair of RCN Council is Natalie Brooks, an acute emergency medicine nurse from Norfolk. As a previous RCN Award of Merit winner, Natalie has a long-standing passion for amplifying our members' voices and creating an inclusive environment.

Watch Natalie's video below to learn more about her career and nursing activism so far.

Meet Natalie

Vice Chair of RCN Council Natalie Brooks standing in front of wall at RCN HQ, London

'What I really want to achieve is pay justice for nurses'

Meet Bejoy Sebastian, our newly elected President. A critical care nurse for almost 14 years in the UK, his deep-rooted, family-connected passion for the profession can be traced back to the beginnings of his career in Kerala, India.

Watch Bejoy's video to hear how he plans to make a difference for members like you.

Image of Bejoy Sebastian, RCN President, talking to camera

'We need to be more visible, ensure our voices are heard and claim the recognition we deserve'

With 30 years' nursing experience and an MBE for services to nursing, Jennifer Caguioa is our RCN Council member for the London region. As one of the first Filipino members to sit on Council, Jennifer's determined to raise the voices of her Filipino peers and colleagues from the global majority.

Meet Jennifer

RCN London Council member Jennifer Caguioa

Meet our Congress leaders

'It's our mission to make RCN Congress the best possible experience it can be for all'

RCN Congress is the most important nursing event of the year. In their roles as Chair and Vice Chair, Linda Bailey and Patience Bamisaye help ensure an equitable mix of agenda items, all proposed by our members, so that our diverse membership is well represented.

Hear from Linda and Patience

RCN Congress Chair Linda Bailey and Vice Chair Patience Bamisaye

Meet one of our committee leaders

'Let's engage, educate and empower our members to stand up for themselves and their patients'

From helping to lead historic strike action to becoming chair of our Trade Union Committee, Denise has seen first-hand the power of our members' united efforts to create a better future for nursing.

Meet Denise

Trade Union Committee Chair Denise Kelly sitting on a bench

Meet one of our forum leaders

‘It’s so important for us to remember the difference we make to the lives of our patients’

Meet Laura Daukintis, our Mental Health Forum Chair. As a senior mental health nurse working in primary care, Laura is all too aware of the challenges facing the sector. But she also believes that it’s crucial to promote mental health nursing as a brilliant career, benefiting both patients and the nursing profession.

Hear from Laura

RCN Mental Health Forum Chair Laura Daukintis speaking at the RCN Congress podium

More from our elected members

16 blog posts

Bejoy Sebastian 24 Dec 2025
The end of the year, but the start of something

RCN President Bejoy Sebastian reflects on the highlights of his first year as RCN President and his hopes for the profession.
Bejoy Sebastian 28 Nov 2025
From budget disappointment to celebrating nursing excellence

RCN President Bejoy Sebastian reflects on the budget, indefinite leave to remain and Nursing Support Workers’ Day.
Bejoy Sebastian 30 Oct 2025
Safety for nursing staff and patients goes hand in hand

RCN President Bejoy Sebastian reflects on the rise of complaints about racism at work, and the need for safe staffing legislation.
Bejoy Sebastian 26 Sep 2025
Our diversity is our strength

RCN President Bejoy Sebastian celebrates the diversity of the nursing profession and looks forward to Black History Month.
Pat Hughes 25 Jun 2025
Remembering Dame June Clark

Chair of the RCN Retired Member's Network (NPC Affiliated), Pat Hughes, shares her reflections and memories of her friend, colleague, and former RCN President, Dame June Clark who sadly passed away last month.
Dr Helena Ann Mitchell and Helen Rees 3 Mar 2025
Delivering culturally sensitive care

The RCN Mental Health Forum Dennis sub group hosted a listening event about culturally sensitive care. This blog discusses the event further.
Denise Kelly 20 Feb 2025
Building Rep Power

Nursing is hard at the moment – as a frontline NHS nurse, I can attest to that.
Sanjithkumar Nair 14 Jan 2025
A Personal and Professional Journey

The thoughts of Sanjithkumar Nair as he takes up his new role as the Chair of the RCN North West Regional Board.
Elspeth Caithness 16 Oct 2024
Five decades of health, safety and wellbeing at work

Elspeth Caithness, Chair of the UK Health and Safety Representatives Committee, marks 50 years of the Health and Safety at Work Act and what it means for nursing.
William Jenner 15 Oct 2024
Acute stroke nursing is my passion

William Jenner, member of the RCN Eastern board, talks about his passion for acute stroke nursing.