Dr Driscoll-Evans will take up his post on 3rd June 2024 and will play a key role in delivering the University’s Vision 2030 strategy. In particular, he will be responsible for leading the School to provide essential, highly skilled graduates that are ready to work in the NHS, as well as supporting the University’s commitment to providing impactful and insightful research that is able to make a real difference to people’s lives.

He is currently Associate Director of Education, Workforce and Development for the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust with responsibility for the Trust’s Education Faculty, as well as leading on the Trust’s workforce strategy.

Prior to this, Dr Driscoll-Evans held senior academic positions at the University of Suffolk from 2008 to 2023. Most recently (2022-23) he was Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health and Wellbeing) where he led on many successful projects including the founding of an NHS-dental social enterprise worth £15.4 million and the creation of an undergraduate pharmacy provision.

From 2018 to 2022, as Dean of the School of Health and Sports Sciences, Dr Driscoll-Evans was the strategic and operational lead for the institution’s health and sports portfolio.

Dr Driscoll-Evans said: “I am delighted to be joining Canterbury Christ Church University at this exciting time in the institution’s development. I am passionate about nurse education, and very much looking forward to working with the students and staff in the School of Nursing, as well as our local NHS Trusts in Kent and Medway to support the future needs of our health workforce.”

Vice-Chancellor at Canterbury Christ Church University, Professor Rama Thirunamachandran OBE DL, said: “We look forward to welcoming Dr Paul Driscoll-Evans to the University. His experience shows his commitment to providing students with an excellent experience, working in partnership with external stakeholders to develop creative workforce solutions, and supporting students to become highly skilled and confident graduates who can have a positive impact on our health and care professions.”

Dr Driscoll-Evans started his career as a registered nurse and has worked in a range of disciplines including oncology, infectious diseases, and sexual health and particularly enjoyed the time he spent at Great Ormond Street Hospital.