Honouring our CEO Nicola Close MBE: Reflections from our members and colleagues
Following Greg Fell OBE, ADPH President’s tribute to Nicola Close MBE, our CEO, who sadly passed away, we have been deeply moved by the many messages shared by our members and partners reflecting on her leadership and lasting contribution to the public health community.
We are grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share their memories and reflections. These words speak to the respect so many people had for Nicola, and to the profound impact she had as a leader, colleague, and formidable advocate for public health.
Reflections from our members and colleagues
Alice Wiseman MBE, ADPH Vice President
“This is devastating news what a tragic loss. Nicola was a force for good and she undoubtedly made an incredible difference to public health.”
Ruth Tennant, ADPH Treasurer
“I remember the first time I met Nicola as a new DPH and being impressed and slightly scared in equal measure. Over time, I came to see and appreciate the other side of Nicola – her kindness, empathy, and thoughtfulness. We are all so grateful for the huge contribution she has made to public health and the public health community.”
Matt Ashton, ADPH Honorary Secretary
“Knowledgeable, formidable, commanded total respect, and with a wicked smile, and a look that said she knew when you were blagging it. We will miss her wisdom enormously.”
Amanda Healy, ADPH Council member
“I have huge respect for the work she did as ADPH Chief Executive, she was always very balanced and fair and forward thinking.”
Helen Atkinson, ADPH member
“She was an amazing woman, a true inspiration to us all. When I first met her in about 2011 I was in an acting DPH role and very inexperienced and I learnt so much from her then and over the years I’ve worked with her.”
Jim McManus, Former ADPH President
“Of all the people I have known through ADPH, Nicola was one of the constants. I cannot begin to list or put into words how much I learned from and valued her constancy, and felt supported by her in every ADPH role I held from Council member to President.
“Nicola brought intelligence, commitment, and humanity to everything she did. She cared deeply about public health, but she also cared about people. In meetings, conversations, and collaborations, she combined professionalism with warmth, and she had that rare ability to make colleagues feel both supported and challenged to do better. She could also be – appropriately – stubborn and principled. She also had that “Nicola look” which could put you in your place.
“Like many others, I learned from her, worked alongside her, and valued her friendship and collegiality. She helped shape our profession and our community, and the impact of her work will continue long after her passing. This is a huge loss for public health and for all of us who had the privilege of knowing her. May she rest in peace, and may we honour her memory by continuing the work to which she gave so much of herself.”
Andrew Furber, Former ADPH President
“ADPH wouldn’t be here without Nicola. She was a brilliant source of wisdom and counsel during my term as President and she will be hugely missed.”
Tim Allison, Former ADPH Board member
“Nicola was a fantastic support both for public health and for DsPH and she was devoted to our work for many years. She will be sorely missed.”
Paul Ogden, Senior Public Health Advisor at the Local Government Association
“Nicola was an exceptional Leader. I saw at close quarters how much she cared for the Directors of Public Health, how fiercely she stood up for them and guarded their standing, often quietly and without any expectation of credit. Her MBE last year was a tremendous honour, and a fitting one after so many years of diligent service.”
James Gore, Chief Executive at The Faculty of Public Health
“I held Nicola’s professionalism, dedication, and passion for public health in the highest regard. She was always a great pleasure to work and collaborate with, and her loss will be deeply felt by myself and all at the Faculty.”
The Royal Society for Public Health
“Nicola was kind, thoughtful, and a highly respected figure in public health. Through her leadership of ADPH and her close partnership with us at RSPH, she made a real difference to the sector. We were proud to count Nicola an Honorary Fellow of RSPH and greatly valued the relationship she built between and beyond our organisations. It was a privilege to work with her, and her contribution to public health leaves a lasting legacy.”
Action on Smoking and Health
“Nicola worked alongside ASH for many years and was a trusted colleague and steadfast champion for public health. During her time leading ADPH, she guided the organisation through some of the most significant periods of change the public health system has experienced. From the transfer of public health responsibilities from the NHS into local government, to ensuring the profession was firmly embedded and able to respond when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Nicola’s calm leadership, determination, and strategic vision helped steer public health through both periods of profound reform and unprecedented challenge.
“She will be remembered with great respect, gratitude, and affection. Her contribution to public health has made a lasting difference to countless lives, and she will be greatly missed.”