Northern Trust clinches RCN Leadership Challenge for second year running

RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Professor Nicola Ranger, presents an award to the winning team from the Northern Trust. Also included are Suzanne Pullins, the Northern Trust’s Executive former Director of Nursing (now Interim Chief Executive), Paediatrics and Women’s Services, and RCN Northern Ireland Executive Director, Professor Rita Devlin.

A team from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has been crowned winners of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) HSC Leadership Challenge for the second consecutive year, demonstrating their exceptional leadership skills and commitment to patient care.

The annual event, designed to simulate the pressures and responsibilities of senior executive roles within health and social care, challenged participants with complex, real-world scenarios to test decision-making, leadership under pressure, and the upholding of high standards of patient care.

Congratulating the winning team, Suzanne Pullins, former Executive Director of Nursing, Paediatrics and Women’s Services, no Interim Chief Executive at Northern Trust, said:

“I am delighted that Team North has won the Leadership Challenge for the second year in a row.

“The day presents a fantastic opportunity for nursing colleagues to learn from each other as part of their professional development, giving them a unique insight into leadership roles. It was a pleasure to watch our teams excel across the various challenges.”

At the close of the event, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Professor Nicola Ranger, commended all participants for their dedication and leadership.

Awards were presented to standout teams for excellence in overall performance, communication skills, and the development of future nursing leadership.

The winning team from the Northern Trust, left – right, Steven Kelly, Orla Mathews, Christina Faulkner, Joby Joseph, Kelly Magill, Laura Robinson and Maria Betts from the Northern Trust, winners of the Royal College of Nursing’s HSC Leadership Challenge.

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Professor Rita Devlin, RCN Northern Ireland Executive Director, said:

“This is not just a competition, it’s a powerful learning experience which is centred on preparing our nurses for the future, giving them the confidence and skills to lead with compassion and clarity in complex environments.

“Many congratulations to all of the teams who took part but particularly the Northern Health and Social Care Trust who won the overall award. All of the judges were extremely impressed by the quality of nursing staff who took part in this event, many of whom are the nurse leaders of tomorrow.”

The Northern Trust’s consecutive win highlights the organisation’s ongoing commitment to nurturing future nursing leaders and maintaining excellence in healthcare delivery across Northern Ireland.