Our Chief Admiral Nurse and CEO Dr Hilda Hayo appointed OBE in King’s Birthday Honours

We’re proud to share that our Chief Admiral Nurse and CEO Dr Hilda Hayo has been appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours, for services to people affected by dementia.  

The OBE recognises Hilda’s commitment to improving specialist dementia care and ensuring more families can access the support they need.

“I’m honoured”

“I’m honoured to receive this recognition for my work as a nurse, Admiral Nurse and CEO of Dementia UK. Dementia specialist Admiral Nurses offer invaluable practical and emotional support to people affected by dementia, at any stage of the condition. During my time at Dementia UK we have seen the number of Admiral Nurses grow significantly, but we know that we still need more to meet the rapidly rising demand for specialist support for dementia. I’m proud to lead this charity, including our Admiral Nurses, staff, volunteers and fundraisers, as we strive to achieve our mission of ensuring that no one faces dementia alone.”

– Hilda Hayo, Chief Admiral Nurse and CEO of Dementia UK

Hilda’s career highlights

Hilda has more than 43 years’ experience in developing and leading specialist dementia teams and services throughout the NHS, and has been the Chief Admiral Nurse and Chief Executive Officer at Dementia UK since 2013. Her leadership has been instrumental in the growth and development of our charity. 

Prior to joining Dementia UK, Hilda held senior positions in clinical services, hospital management and higher education. These included Principal Lecturer posts at both London South Bank University and the University of Northampton, specialising in older people’s mental health, dementia and community care. She is a Visiting Fellow of Dementia Studies at the University of Northampton.  

Hilda has previously discussed her career highlights and how her commitment to improving dementia care is rooted in her early experiences as a student nurse. 

How can Dementia UK and Admiral Nurses help you? 

Hilda’s recognition in the King’s Birthday Honours comes at a time when demand for specialist dementia support continues to grow across the UK.

Find out more about Admiral Nurses and how they support families affected by dementia.