The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has named Annie Clothier, Vascular Clinical Nurse Specialist at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB), as the RCN Wales Nurse of the Year 2025.

Annie is celebrated for her expertise, compassion, and leadership in vascular nursing. Known for her patient-centred approach, she has transformed vascular services across her health board -most notably during the transition of acute services to Cardiff and Vale University Health Board while always keeping patients at the heart of her work.

Vascular patients often face complex, long-term health challenges. Annie meets every one of them with empathy, equity, and highly skilled, individualised care. She has secured Welsh government funding to lead the first nurse-led research project into wound care in ABUHB, breaking new ground for the profession.

Beyond her health board, Annie serves as Chair of the Legs Matter national group and contributes to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Vascular and Venous Disease, where her expertise helps shape vascular care across the UK.

Helen Whyley, Executive Director of RCN Wales said: “Annie is more than an exceptional nurse. She is a national leader, mentor and tireless advocate for her patients. Her commitment to excellence, innovation and compassionate care represents the very best of our profession.

“Annie’s passion for advancing vascular nursing includes combining her clinical expertise with humanity to improve outcomes for patients. She truly embodies the heart, skill and spirit of nursing.”

Annie Clothier, Vascular Clinical Nurse Specialist, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and RCN Wales Nurse of the Year 2025, said: “I was very surprised to win the award. People don’t always realise the scale of what we do. We’re a small community in vascular care across the UK but we work incredibly hard to make sure our patients are truly seen and properly supported. Recognition matters for the resources and understanding our patients desperately need. I’ll be in parliament in a couple of weeks again raise awareness with Members of Parliament. I’m proud of the work we’re doing, and even prouder to speak up for the people who rely on us every day. Hopefully winning this award will help take that message forward.”

Notes to editors

The 12th Annual RCN Wales Nurse of the Year Awards was held at the Cardiff Holland House by Sunday Thursday and hosted by television and radio presenter Jason Mohammad.

Attendees included the His Majesty's Deputy Lieutenant Dr Isabel Graham, The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Adrian Robson, Professor Nicola Ranger, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN, RCN President Bejoy Sebastian and RCN Chair of Council Carmel Boyle and Chief Nursing Officer for Wales Sue Tranka.

List of all winners and runners-up:

Lifetime Achievement Award:
Dr. Carolyn Middleton, Programme Lead Registered Nursing Associate, Public Health Wales

Registered Nurse – Child
Winner: Dr Sheila Shepley, Nurse Consultant in Epilepsy, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Runner Up: Rachel Evans, National Lead for Breastfeeding (Midwife), Public Health Wales

Community and Primary Care Nursing Award – Sponsored by Hywel Dda University Health Board
Winner: Paula Heycock, Head of Nursing, Primary, Community and Therapies,, Swansea Bay University Health Board
Runner Up: Hayley Taylor, Lead Nurse for Community Cardiology, Swansea Bay University Health Board

Improving Individual and Population Health Award – Sponsored by Public Health Wales
Winner: Cindy Courtney, Head of Nursing, Regional and Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board,
Runner Up: Rhianydd Davey, Immunisation Co-ordinator, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Research, Innovation and Digitalisation in Nursing Award – Sponsored by Digital Health and Care
Winner: Victoria Hayman – Teear, Senior Nurse, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Runner Up: Ffion Pursglove, Specialist Nurse Medicine Management, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Registered Nurse – Learning Disabilities Award – Sponsored by Swansea Bay University Health Board
Winner: Zoe Dolman, Senior Specialist Behavioural Nurse, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Runner Up: Richard Morgan, Community Learning Disability Nurse, Hywel Dda University Health Board

Registered Nurse – Mental Health Award – Sponsored by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Winner: Tanya Thomas, Team Leader for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Sanctuary Hwb, Powys Teaching Health Board
Runner Up: Lisa Payne, Ward Manager for Newport Older Adult Mental Health, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Independent Sector Nursing Award – Sponsored by ivolve Care & Support
Winner: Kevin Jones, Registered Manager, Bryn Marl Nursing Home and Head of Governance and Compliance for Vshan Care Ltd, Brynmarl Nursing Home
Runner Up: Vicki Travers, Registered Manager, Tan-Yr-Allt House, Ivolve Care & Support

Specialist Nursing Award – Sponsored by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Winner: Annie Clothier, Vascular Clinical Nurse Specialist, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Runner Up: Tracy Bale. Consultant Nurse for Dermatology, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Health Care Support Worker Award – Sponsored by NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee
Winner: Lynda Jones and Shona Lewis, Health Care Support Workers, Hywel Dda University Health Board
Runner Up: Amanda Strange, Assistant Practitioner for Mapping, Education and Carers Service (MECS), Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Nurse Education Award – Sponsored by University of South Wales
Winner: Claire Loveridge, Practice Educator, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Runner Up: Catherine Norris, Head of Nursing, Swansea University

Nursing Student Award – Sponsored by Health Education and Improvement Wales
Winner: Alwen Sayer, Wrexham University
Runner Up: Abbie Sanders, Wrexham University

Registered Nurse - Adult Award – Sponsored by Powys Teaching Health Board
Winner: Emma Phillips, Quality Improvement and Service Transformation Practitioner, Hywel Dda University Health Board
Runner Up: Angharad Hanbury, Lead Nurse for Radiology, Hywel Dda University Health Board

Chief Nursing Officer for Wales Award – Sponsored by Chief Nursing Officer for Wales, Welsh Government
Winner: Donna Blinston, Hepatology Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Hywel Dda University Health Board
Runner Up: Annette Blackstock, Assistant Director of Safeguarding and Louise Mann, Director of Safeguarding, Public Health Wales

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK, including around 32,000 members in Wales. The RCN promotes the interests of nursing and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape health care policy.    

For more information, contact the RCN Wales communications and media team on 02920 680 769 or mediawales@rcn.org.uk   
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