Howard Catton is the Chief Executive Officer of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), appointed in February 2019. He is dedicated to ensuring ICN represents nursing globally, advances the profession, and advocates for nurses’ well-being. A strong advocate for nurse leadership in health policy, Howard co-chaired the first-ever State of the World’s Nursing Report and has been instrumental in supporting nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing protection and investment in the profession. Joining ICN in 2016 as Director of Nursing, Policy, and Programmes, he worked closely with WHO, UN, and other global health organizations on nursing policies and leadership initiatives. Howard also managed ICN’s leadership development programmes and coordinated scientific events, such as the ICN World Congress. Howard qualified as a nurse in 1988, with experience in England, the U.S., and New Zealand. He holds degrees in Social Policy (Cardiff University) and Industrial Relations (Warwick University) and has worked in various healthcare policy roles, including Head of Policy & International Affairs at the Royal College of Nursing. Howard has also served as a Local Government Councillor in England and was named in the Health Service Journal’s top 100 Clinical Leaders list in 2015.