Appointment of ICM’s new Chief Executive 

Following a competitive international search, ICM is delighted to announce the appointment of our new Chief Executive, Anna af Ugglas. She brings to the role extensive experience in midwifery, including clinical practice, education, policy and strategy. Anna will be joining ICM in January 2025, to take over from ICM’s current Chief Executive Dr Sally Pairman, who is stepping down at the end of February 2025.  Sally said, “I was thrilled to learn that Anna was appointed by the ICM Board. I look forward to our collaborative efforts during the transition period and to supporting Anna as she takes ICM forward.” 

Anna is a Swedish midwife with over 30 years of professional experience as a midwife. After working clinically in Sweden, in August 2010, she joined the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) as a Senior Programme Specialist for Midwifery in Bangladesh, where she worked until 2013. She then spent three years working for UNFPA in Lao PDR, supporting the development of midwifery in that country. Anna is an active member of the International Council of the Swedish Association of Midwives.  

Anna is joining ICM after working at Laerdal in Norway for over seven years, where she worked to strengthen midwifery education. Among other projects, she also coordinated the development of the Essential Competencies Digital Learning Tool, co-developed with ICM and launched in 2023. 

“Laerdal has always worked to build partnerships and championed the growth of midwifery worldwide. We are delighted that Anna af Ugglas has been appointed as Chief Executive at ICM. Her contribution to Laerdal’s work in midwifery education has been immense, and we wish her the very best in her new role,” commented Tore Laerdal, Executive Chairman of Laerdal.  

Sally will have led ICM for eight years when she steps down in February 2025. Sandra Oyarzo Torres, President of ICM, said, “Sally Pairman has successfully implemented her visionary approach to strengthening the organisation, midwifery and midwives’ associations globally and we are thankful for her work. We are very pleased that Anna af Ugglas will be joining us to take over as Chief Executive next year and we look forward to benefitting from Anna’s wealth of experience, as she continues the strategic development of our Confederation and profession.” 

When discussing her new role, Anna af Ugglas, said, “It has been a privilege to work with Laerdal, contributing to the mission of helping saving lives of women and newborns. I am deeply honoured at the opportunity to lead ICM as Chief Executive, supporting midwives’ associations around the world and continuing to develop the profession. Sally Pairman’s leadership has been impressive and visionary. I look forward to building on the strong foundations, strategy and direction she has set at ICM.”