A nursing leader from Hertfordshire is one of 48 from across the UK to be honoured at an awards ceremony.

Oliver Shanley, a qualified nurse and deputy chief executive of the Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, was named one of the country’s most inspirational nursing leaders by the Nursing Times at a reception in London.

Nominees were judged on the impact of their work on nursing policy, practice or care, as well as their influence and understanding of how health and social care fit together, the sustainability of their achievement and the extent to which they act as a role model for others.

The winners were selected by a panel of expert judges which included the chief nursing officer for Northern Ireland and the list has been endorsed by the chief nurses of all four countries in the UK.

The judges said: “Oliver led on the safe staffing toolkit for learning disability nursing. He delivered it on time, took everyone with him and came up with something that worked in the real world.”

Mr Shanley started working in mental health services in 1987 and qualified as a nurse in 1990.

He said: “I am very proud to be a nurse, having come from a long line of nurses in my family.

“It has to be said that any ability I have is down to the wonderful people that have supported me throughout my career and now as a leader.

“The people I work with are very dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to support the communities we serve.”