The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) is an executive clinical leader providing strategic, professional and operational nursing leadership across the enterprise (Tend & The Doctors brands). As a peer to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the role jointly shapes clinical strategy, clinical governance and models of care, ensuring an integrated, person-centred, evidence-based approach to care delivery that supports both clinical excellence and business performance. The CNO sets the nursing strategy, professional standards, workforce direction and organisational accountabilities for nursing. They lead the advancement of nursing practice, champion the value and contribution of nursing, and ensure systems are in place to maintain capability, competence and safe, high-quality care. Working with the CMO, the role drives innovation, new models of care and proactive health outcomes work, and ensures nursing capability is fully utilised to improve access, equity, quality, patient experience and commercial sustainability. The CNO brings a commercial lens to clinical leadership, developing business cases, leading implementation and demonstrating measurable returns on investment through improved outcomes, efficiency and workforce optimisation.
