“Leadership is not a position, but a commitment to improving care, practice, and people.” -
Martyn Davey
Director, The Crown Fellowship CIC
About Our Company
The Crown Fellowship is operated by The Crown Fellowship CIC, a Community Interest Company established to serve the public benefit by supporting the leadership development and professional recognition of Nursing Associates in the UK.
As a CIC, the organisation is committed to ensuring that all activity is carried out in the interests of public benefit. Any surplus generated is reinvested into the development of leadership initiatives, partnerships, governance, and future Fellowship activity, rather than being distributed for private gain.
The Crown Fellowship CIC is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing leadership, professional development, and recognition across the healthcare workforce. We work collaboratively with healthcare providers, educational institutions, and national partners to deliver high-quality Fellowship programmes, leadership masterclasses, and workforce development initiatives. Through strategic partnerships and external funding, we are committed to creating opportunities that support healthcare professionals, strengthen leadership at all levels, and contribute to national workforce priorities.
Crown Fellowship & Teesside University
We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Teesside University, working together to support leadership development, education and professional development for Nursing Associates and the wider healthcare workforce.
Our first Leadership Masterclass has marked the beginning of this partnership, with further masterclasses and opportunities already being developed.
We are excited about what we can build together and look forward to creating more opportunities to develop confidence, leadership and professional growth across the healthcare workforce.
Our First Milestone
On 9 September 2026, we held our very first Crown Fellowship Leadership Masterclass in partnership with Teesside University.
It was an important milestone for the Crown Fellowship and the beginning of what we hope will be a growing programme of leadership development and learning opportunities for Nursing Associates and the wider healthcare workforce.
The masterclass brought together students and professionals to explore leadership, confidence, professional identity and the role we can all play in creating positive change within healthcare.
Rather than simply focusing on leadership theories, the session encouraged participants to think about themselves as leaders, recognise their own influence and consider how they can use their knowledge, experience and voice to make a difference.
We were delighted with the engagement throughout the session, with open discussions, shared experiences and plenty of questions. It was particularly valuable to create a space where participants could learn from each other as well as from the facilitators.
This first masterclass marks the start of an exciting journey for the Crown Fellowship. We are looking forward to building on this session, developing future masterclasses and continuing to create opportunities for Nursing Associates and other healthcare professionals to develop their leadership potential.
This is just the beginning.
Welcoming Mark Wheatley as our Second Director
We are delighted to welcome Mark Wheatley as the Co-Director of The Crown Fellowship CIC.
Mark joins the leadership team at an exciting time as the Fellowship continues to develop its work supporting Nursing Associates and healthcare professionals through education, advocacy, leadership development and future fellowship opportunities.
His appointment strengthens our leadership team as we continue to grow and develop the Fellowship and the opportunities we can offer.
Welcome to the Crown Fellowship, Mark.
Co-Director of The Crown FellowshipMark Wheatly
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Nursing Associates play a vital and growing role within the healthcare workforce, contributing directly to patient care across a wide range of settings. Despite this, opportunities for national recognition, leadership development, and professional identity remain limited.
The Crown Fellowship exists to address this gap. It has been established to support the development and recognition of Nursing Associates with leadership potential, and to create a national framework through which they can contribute to leadership, education, and service improvement.
By focusing on leadership, recognition, and professional identity, the Fellowship aims to strengthen the Nursing Associate role and support its contribution to the future of healthcare.
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The Crown Fellowship is operated by The Crown Fellowship CIC, a Community Interest Company established to develop and support leadership potential among Nursing Associates in the UK. The organisation has been created with a clear public benefit purpose: to strengthen professional identity, recognition, and leadership capability within the Nursing Associate workforce.
As a CIC, the Crown Fellowship is committed to ensuring that all activity is undertaken in the interests of public benefit. Any surplus generated is reinvested to support the development of leadership initiatives, partnerships, and future Fellowship activity.
The organisation is currently in a development phase, working with healthcare professionals, educators, and stakeholders to establish appropriate governance, secure funding, and shape future leadership opportunities aligned with national workforce priorities.
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The Crown Fellowship is working towards the establishment of a nationally recognised Fellowship that supports Nursing Associates to develop leadership capability and professional identity within the healthcare workforce.
Our vision is guided by the principle that Nursing Associates should have access to appropriate recognition, development opportunities, and professional networks that reflect their contribution to patient care and service delivery. The Fellowship seeks to support leadership development in a way that is inclusive, evidence-informed, and aligned with the evolving needs of healthcare.
In pursuing this vision, the Crown Fellowship is focused on:
Leadership – supporting Nursing Associates to develop leadership capability at all stages of their professional journey
Recognition – strengthening national recognition and professional identity for the Nursing Associate role
Networks – fostering professional connections that support shared learning, mentorship, and collaboration
Contribution – enabling Nursing Associates to contribute to leadership, education, and service improvement across healthcare
The development of the Fellowship is being shaped in collaboration with healthcare professionals, educators, and stakeholders, and is dependent on appropriate governance, funding, and partnership.
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The Crown Fellowship is seeking support from organisations, partners, and sponsors who share a commitment to developing leadership capability and professional recognition within the healthcare workforce.
Support for the Fellowship is intended for:
Healthcare organisations
Education providers
Professional bodies
Corporate and charitable partners
Strengthening leadership among Nursing Associates matters because they form a vital and growing part of the healthcare workforce, contributing directly to patient care, service delivery, and workforce sustainability. Supporting leadership development within this group helps to strengthen professional identity, improve retention, and support the future leadership capacity of healthcare services.
Support enables the Crown Fellowship to:
Develop appropriate governance and accountability structures
Engage with stakeholders across healthcare and education
Design future leadership and recognition initiatives
Establish sustainable professional networks and partnerships
The Crown Fellowship is currently in a development phase, and support at this stage plays a key role in shaping a considered, well-governed Fellowship aligned with national workforce priorities.
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The Crown Fellowship CIC is committed to high standards of governance, accountability, and ethical practice in the delivery of its public benefit purpose.
Governance of the organisation is guided by principles of transparency, integrity, and stewardship. These principles underpin decision-making, the use of resources, and the development of Fellowship activity, ensuring that all work is undertaken in the interests of public benefit and aligned with the organisation’s charitable objectives.
The Crown Fellowship CIC is in the process of establishing a formal Board and advisory structure. This is intended to include individuals with experience across healthcare practice, education, leadership development, and governance. The Board and advisors will provide strategic oversight, support good governance, and ensure that the organisation remains accountable to its purpose and stakeholders.
The organisation is committed to transparency in its operations, including openness about its development stage, governance arrangements, and the appropriate use of funds. Ethical practice and public benefit remain central to all activity undertaken by the Crown Fellowship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Register Your Interest
The Crown Fellowship is currently in a development phase. Individuals and organisations are invited to register their interest to receive updates on the progress of the Fellowship and future opportunities as they emerge.
Registering your interest allows the Crown Fellowship to:
Share information on organisational development and key milestones
Provide updates on future Fellowship activity, subject to funding and governance
Understand interest from Nursing Associates, partners, and supporters
Identify organisations and individuals interested in supporting the development of the Fellowship through partnership or sponsorship
Registration does not constitute an application, a funding commitment, or an obligation of support. Details will be used solely to support communication relating to the development of the Crown Fellowship.
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