Donna Kinnair

Professor Dame Donna Kinnair (born 1961) is a British nurse and former Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). She has specialised in child protection, providing leadership in major hospital trusts in London, teaching, and advising on legal and governmental committees.

Education and career She initially pursued a maths degree but decided not to complete it. She later returned to education having been encouraged by an occupational health nurse to take up nursing. Kinnair credits her experience growing up with an asthmatic father with showing her the impact nursing could have on people. She attended the Princess Alexandra School of Nursing at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel in 1983 to train as a nurse. Clinical Director of Emergency Medicine at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust In 2021, Kinnair reached the top 10 of the Powerlist 2021 in recognition of her work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Controversies On 14 June 2021, Kinnair was suspended from her duties pending investigation into allegations regarding her conduct. On 15 June 2021, Bruce Carr KC was appointed to investigate the allegations against Kinnair. On 25 June 2021, the RCN Council approved a confidential settlement.

Om 1 July 2021, Kinnair resigned from her role as Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) following a "period of ill health" due to a cycling incident.

In 2025, Kinnair gave evidence to the UK Covid 19 enquiry. Kinnair confirmed that she had recommended her friend George Farha to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock as a PPE supplier. A philanthropist and Conservative Party donor, Farha had no record of supplying PPE. Kinnair sent multiple WhatsApp messages to Hancock introducing Farha, one highlighting that Farha was a Conservative Party donor and a personal friend of hers. Hancock referred Farha to the High Priority Lane, a system of awarding expedited PPE contracts during the COVID-19 pandemic that was later ruled unlawful by the High Court.

Awards and honours Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (2008) LEGEND CA Award (C. Hub magazine), 2016

Personal life Kinnair has three children.