Dame Ruth May DBE Senior Advisor to the Health practice

Dame Ruth May DBE is a Senior Advisor to Saxton Bampfylde’s Health practice. She is a highly respected nursing leader with nearly four decades of experience in the NHS. As Chief Nursing Officer for England (2019–2024), she played a pivotal role increasing the nursing workforce and lead the profession through the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, she held senior leadership roles at NHS Improvement and multiple NHS Trusts. A passionate advocate for nursing excellence and innovation, she led initiatives such as the “Stop the Pressure” campaign. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded a Damehood (DBE) in 2022 and holds multiple honorary doctorates.

Sector expertise

• Health and Life Sciences