Dame Sue Tranka is the Chief Nursing Officer for Wales and Nurse Director of NHS Wales providing strategic leadership for nursing, midwifery, patient safety and healthcare quality across Wales. Appointed in 2021, she became the first person from a minority ethnic background to hold a CNO position in the United Kingdom. Sue trained as a midwife, registered general nurse, mental health nurse and community nurse, bringing more than 3 decades of experience in clinical practice, leadership and health system improvement. Prior to joining the Welsh Government, she served as Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for NHS England, leading on patient safety and innovation. Recognised for her commitment to quality improvement, workforce development and reducing health inequalities, Sue is an Honorary Visiting Professor at Cardiff University and a fellow of the Queen’s Nursing Institute, and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Faculty Nursing & Midwifery. In October 2020 and 2024, Sue was listed among the Health Service Journal’s 50 most influential people in health from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background. In June 2026, Sue was awarded a Damehood for services to nursing in the King’s birthday honours list.