Date: 12 11 2025
Following the recently announced retirement of Margaret Coats, CNHC is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Chief Executive, Joanne Shaw, from early 2026.
Joanne is a big advocate for complementary and natural healthcare and believes that it plays an important role in supporting both physical health and mental wellbeing. Having worked for 17 years in senior positions in the NHS public sector, and prior to that, in the private sector Joanne brings a range of experience in strategic leadership, governance, and financial management. Holding a non-executive role as Lay Director of the British Acupuncture Council has also provided Joanne with direct experience of accreditation, membership engagement, and championing professional standards in complementary healthcare.
Iain McInnes, CNHC Chair, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Joanne to CNHC as our new Chief Executive. We look forward to working closely with Joanne in the New Year in the challenging and exciting times ahead.”
Joanne Shaw said: “I am delighted to be joining CNHC as their new Chief Executive. After 17 years in the NHS, I felt that the time was right to pursue an opportunity that is very closely aligned to my own personal interests and practices. I am a strong supporter of complementary and natural healthcare and believe that it deserves to have its place alongside clinical healthcare. I am looking forward to the opportunity to further develop the awareness and support for CNHC amongst both registrants and service users. I am passionate about promoting the benefits of safe and well-regulated complementary and natural healthcare services. I will be in touch with all of you as soon as I have started in post in early 2026, and I look forward to working with you all to take CNHC to its next level.”
Iain McInnes added: “We thank Margaret for all her hard work and commitment over the thirteen years she has been with us and wish her all the very best in her well-earned retirement.”