Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent
Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE joined ICM in 2023. As Chief Midwife, Jacqueline is responsible for championing the interests of midwives globally, elevating the profession’s profile, and ensuring that all women and gender diverse people have equitable maternity experiences and outcomes. She is dedicated to advancing a well-resourced, educated, regulated, and enabled midwifery workforce, supporting midwives and health systems worldwide.
Prior to joining ICM, Jacqueline served as the first Chief Midwifery Officer for the NHS in England and was one of two National Maternity Safety Champions appointed by the Department for Health and Social Care. She has held senior positions in clinical practice, education, leadership, and management, including Consultant Midwife, Director of Midwifery, Head of Nursing, and Professor of Midwifery. Jacqueline has also supported the education of midwives internationally through conference contributions and publications. She was recognised as one of the Health Service Journal’s most influential people in health in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024, she was also celebrated as one of the NHS’s 75 most significant nurses and midwives in 2023 and is included in the Nursing Times’ Leaders 2015 list for pioneering and inspirational professionals.
Jacqueline is a registered nurse and midwife, holding honorary doctorates from Worcester and Winchester Universities in the UK and a visiting Professorship in Midwifery at Kings College London and London South Bank University. She chairs the maternity advisory group for the Health and Race Observatory in England, serves on the Women of the Year management committee, acts as Midwifery Ambassador for the ‘Saying Goodbye’ charity, and holds key roles as Patron for Baby Lifeline and the Caribbean & African Health Network UK. Outside her professional life, Jacqueline enjoys spending time with her family, engaging in charitable activities, and advancing midwifery education and advocacy.
Based In: The Netherlands
Home Country: England, UK
Languages: English
