Wendy Olayiwola BEM

Wendy Olayiwola values personal development, philanthropy and mentoring, just as passionately as promoting and advocating for equality and equity, these are integral to her core values and beliefs.

Wendy is a registered nurse and practising midwife with more than two decades of clinical practice and leadership in the community and public health. The recognition and influence of her ability and impact in England and internationally are evident by her charitable work and contributions, publications and speaking internationally.

She is very passionate about supporting and empowering nurses and midwives to provide culturally sensitive and holistic care for women and their families. Wendy has held various senior operational and specialist positions and project management roles in maternity. She was appointed into her current role as the national maternity lead for equality at NHS England in February 2021. 

Wendy has co-authored articles in professional midwifery journals and written a number of blogs.

Wendy is a member of the Nursing and Midwifery Council Equality Diversity and Inclusion Research Advisory Group and Midwifery Panel. She is also the lead midwife/co-chair of CNO CMiDO BME Strategic Advisory Group NHS England and a member of the Race Health Observatory maternity group.

Wendy was awarded a British Empire Medal for service to the NHS and equality during the COVID-19 response in 2021. In March 2022, she was awarded a Royal College of Midwives fellowship and admitted as a fellow of the African Society of Arts 2020. 

She was listed in the 2020 Year of the Nurse and Midwife Global WHO/UN/WGH 100 outstanding women nurse and midwife leader. She was also the winner of the NHS@70 Women Leaders Award 2018.