Rachel Craine

Experienced policy and regulatory professional with extensive experience leading complex policy development and stakeholder engagement across health, education, and professional regulation. Proven track record of shaping evidence-based policy, influencing senior decision-makers, and representing organisations in politically sensitive environments. Skilled in legislative analysis, governance, and translating complex regulatory issues into clear strategic insight.

Policy and Projects Manager - The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn - United Kingdom

(2025-07 - 2026-01)

One of the four Inns of Court. A professional membership body for students and qualified barristers.

• Led development and improvement of operational policies and governance processes, improving senior decision-making, streamlining processes, and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Developed and implemented Subject Access Request (SAR) policy and initiated a data management review to improve data governance and strengthen compliance with UK GDPR and Data protection legislation.
• Managed SARs and data breach responses, ensuring compliant handling and mitigating legal and reputational risk.
• Led implementation planning following the 'Independent Review into Bullying and Harassment at the Bar', promoting inclusive culture and accountability.

Policy Manager - Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) - United Kingdom

(2021-07 - 2025-07)

UK regulator for nurses, midwives, and nursing associates, responsible for protecting the public by maintaining a register of professionals, setting and maintaining standards, and investigating fitness-to-practise concerns.

• Led high-profile regulatory policy development (e.g. patient safety, assisted dying, cosmetic procedures), strengthening public protection and ensuring robust, defensible regulatory approaches.
• Delivered targeted stakeholder sessions, improving understanding and enabling consistent application of policy across teams and stakeholders.
• Produced high-quality briefings, consultation responses and policy materials to inform senior leadership and regulatory decision-making.
• Managed stakeholder engagement across government and sector bodies, aligning positions and supporting effective policy development and delivery.
• Directed multiple concurrent policy projects across matrix teams, ensuring timely delivery aligned with organisational priorities.
• Conducted grievance investigations, delivering fair, proportionate, and defensible outcomes and reducing organisational risk.
• Translated legislation into operational policy guidance, enabling consistent implementation and strengthening compliance across the organisation.
• Completed Equality Impact Assessments (EQIA) and ensured compliance with Welsh language regulations.
• Worked closely with legal, policy, communications and operational teams to support development and implementation of regulatory policy, standards and guidance.

Education Policy Manager - Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) - United Kingdom

(2017-11 - 2021-07)

• Played a key role in developing and implementing national education standards.
• Provided regulatory expertise on standards design and review, ensuring robust, evidence-based and defensible frameworks.
• Produced briefings, guidance, and consultation materials, supporting informed decision-making and effective stakeholder engagement.
• Represented the organisation in cross-sector engagement, influencing policy development and strengthening relationships across the sector.

Senior Policy Officer - Council of Deans of Health (CoDH) - United Kingdom

(2013-07 - 2017-11)

Representative body for UK university faculties delivering health professional education and research.

• Led analysis of UK health education and research policy, shaping consultation responses and organisational positions, representing the organisation externally, and advising on devolved policy.

Senior Policy Executive (Professional Fees, Medico-Legal and Forensic Medicine) - British Medical Association (BMA) - United Kingdom

(2011-11 - 2012-11)

Trade union and professional body representing doctors and medical students in the UK. (Maternity cover)

• Led policy portfolios, supported delivery of medico-legal training, drove cross-functional collaboration, and developed guidance and briefings to support consistent policy application and organisational decision-making, alongside line management responsibility.

Executive Officer (Community Care, Medico-Legal, Forensic Medicine, Professional Fees, SASC Committees) - British Medical Association (BMA) - United Kingdom

(2008-04 - 2013-07)

• Managed policy portfolios and committee work, represented the organisation externally, and delivered events and recruitment initiatives to increase member engagement.

Graduate Intern/Administrative Assistant - 1994 Group - United Kingdom

(2007-02 - 2008-04)

Former association of research-intensive UK universities advocating on higher education policy.

• Coordinated communications and media monitoring, supported policy development, and managed governance processes including Board meetings and senior stakeholder administration.

PG Diploma - Management - Birkbeck, University of London

MSc - Medical Sociology - Royal Holloway, University of London

BA (Hons) - Politics and Sociology - Royal Holloway, University of London