Sheila McClelland has been appointed as the new CEO of the Health and Social Care Professional’s Council, CORU. Ms McClelland was previously the CEO of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
Established in 2005, CORU’s role is to protect the public, by ensuring high standards of professional conduct by the practitioners of 13 distinct professions. CORU currently regulates the work of 27,000 health and social care professionals, a number that is predicted to reach 40,000 within the next five years, when additional professions are regulated.
Welcoming Sheila McClelland’s appointment, Ms Mo Flynn, Chair of the Health, and Social Care Professionals Council said, “I am delighted to welcome someone of Sheila McClelland’s experience and expertise to lead the vital work of CORU. Sheila has had a long and distinguished career in public service showing leadership and achieving positive results in areas that include local government, education, and healthcare.
“Sheila has an extensive knowledge of health policy and regulation, garnered through her highly successful tenure with NMBI, this ensures the continued progress of CORU. She joins CORU at a pivotal time for the organisation, with work to introduce regulation to a number of complex professions currently underway. I look forward to working with her and providing her with my full support.
Incoming CEO of CORU, Sheila McClelland said, “I am honoured to take up the role of CEO of CORU. As the requirements of Irish healthcare continue to evolve it is essential that public protection is always a priority. CORU has made an immense contribution to Irish patient safety by introducing regulation to a diverse range of professions. I look forward to advancing this work and expanding upon CORU’s remit in the years ahead.”
Sheila McClelland was appointed interim CEO of NMBI in June 2019 before being confirmed as permanent CEO in January 2022. Prior to this, she was the CEO of Carrickfergus Borough Council in Co Antrim and the Director of the Council of Curriculum, Examination and Assessment. She has recently been appointed a member of the Maynooth University Governing Authority (National University of Ireland).
