Prof Debra Towse

Prof Debra Towse is Lay Council Member for Wales, Chair of the People Committee, and a member of the Policy and Education Committee.

Debra is Professor Emerita of Canterbury Christ Church University and former Registered Nurse. Her 20-year clinical career within Neonatal Intensive Care, included work to manage risk and sustain high quality, safe and effective care for infants and families through contributions to national clinical guidelines and interprofessional policy developments, within expert working groups in the RCN, RCPCH, Patient Safety Executive, National Audit Committee, and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

As an Academic, Debra’s work culminated in her appointment as Pro-Vice Chancellor and Dean for the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Wellbeing, until retirement in October 2021. As one of the University Executive, she led partnership working across the health and social care landscape and delivered internal and external strategic projects and major change initiatives, locally and regionally. She successful oversaw the delivery of high-quality student and staff experiences across seventeen healthcare professional programmes of study and led international projects.

Presently, Debra volunteers in Board Governance roles, as a Trustee for the Council of Deans for Health UK (completing July 2025), and is currently Vice Chair of Severn Hospice.