Paul Hopley

"Paul is a highly experienced registered mental health nurse with over 26 years of service in the NHS, working across diverse adult and older adult mental health services. Throughout his career, Paul has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and dedication to improving mental health care systems.

Before joining the Mental Health System Improvement Team in 2021, Paul served for over a decade as the Deputy Director for Mental Health Commissioning within an Integrated Care System, representing seven Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and the emerging Integrated Care Board (ICB). He also held the role of Deputy Chief Nurse at one of the CCGs.

Paul’s extensive expertise includes providing system-wide leadership in collaboration with partner organisations, including those beyond health and social care, such as police constabularies. His efforts have driven significant improvements in crisis and suicide prevention pathways, making meaningful impacts on patient care and system resilience.

For the past decade, Paul has contributed as an independent reviewer at the Royal College of Psychiatry and Paul has previously served as a chair for the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s national competence committee for a period of eight years. Additionally, he has been a magistrate for 17 years, reflecting his deep commitment to public service.

Paul’s academic achievements include an MSc in Management Practice and the prestigious NHS Leadership Academy Executive Healthcare Leadership Award, earned through the Nye Bevan Programme. He is also a qualified executive coach, currently pursuing further qualifications in group coaching and management consultancy.

Paul’s dedication to excellence, coupled with his collaborative and innovative approach, makes him a highly respected leader in the mental health care field and beyond."