Anne Craig MBE, FINSTKT, Ma


I found out about the NMC 10 years ago when I had a first ever visit from an occupational therapist. She had newly moved from Liverpool to my area and knew the NMC. She suggested I get myself referred. The rest, as they say, is history!


The NMC has been one of the best things to happen to me since the onset of this relentless disease and it’s made a huge difference to my life. So when I was asked to become involved with the Consultative & Advisory Group (CAG) in 2010, I didn’t hesitate. Then when the NMC became independent from the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign in April 2012, I was easily persuaded to train and be appointed as an NMC trustee. As Vice Chair I deputise for Chairman Nigel Burgess.


I am one of 5 with Muscular Dystrophy at our trustee meetings– but everyone round the table knows about the condition and has been involved in some way with the NMC. It’s a real strength. Each trustee brings something different to the board, which is charged with overseeing the strategic direction of the Centre, making sure it meets its legal obligations and thrives. And that is exactly what the NMC is doing, thriving!


I reckon I am the mongrel of the trustees with a bit of the “Heinz 57 varieties” about me! Why? My background will give you a clue…..


After graduating from Edinburgh University, I spent 8 years in staff and store management with Marks and Spencer. This was followed by 15 years with Baccarat Wetherall, a fashion company which designed, manufactured, retailed and wholesaled its collections worldwide. As a director of the company I was involved in all aspects of the business, from personnel and training through to marketing, retail and wholesale, travelling extensively to 36 countries until my MD started to develop. I also became involved with the Fashion Council and as chair of women’s wear, supported new exporters and met the “who’s who” of the fashion world. It was a mad, heady, exciting time – but it’s a tough business if you’re not 100% fit.


I then spent 15 years as Business Director of the University of Salford. My role was to encourage, protect and commercialise innovations, network extensively with the industrial and commercial worlds and local communities, project manage multi-million government schemes, and sell and promote the University’s business offerings.


P r o f i l e


It was a fascinating role which only ended when I took ill-health retirement. While at Salford, I was elected to the board of the national association for those working at the interface between their university and the external world. Collectively they are known as knowledge transfer practitioners. I remained a Board member for 10 years and was Chair of the organisation and one of a team which established the professional Institute of Knowledge Transfer, of which I am a Fellow.


After I retired in 2004, I continued to help the profession in an advisory capacity; it’s kept me out of mischief and led to my MBE in 2010 for services to knowledge transfer.


In my spare time I was also chair and vice-chair of governors at my local 11-18 school for 17 years, retiring in 2011when the new £28million school-for-the-future was up and running successfully. So – I’m a bit of a career mongrel with wide-ranging interests! Interestingly, my experiences have been similar to the processes and decision-making within the NMC. But I am enjoying being an NMC trustee much more than any other board membership I’ve had; there’s something really special about the NMC…..


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