The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics has appointed Frances Longley as its new chief executive.
Longley succeeds Mary Ann Lumsden, who has been leading FIGO since 2020. Lumsden will be retiring this year to focus on academic and personal endeavours.
Prior to her appointment, Longley served as ActionAid UK’s first female chief executive as well as spending four years as chief executive of Amref Health Africa UK and one year at CARE International as executive director for programmes and policy.
She will be joining FIGO on 10 July.
Longley said: “I am delighted to be joining FIGO at such a critical time for the status of women’s health and rights around the world.
“As a committed advocate for this work, I am proud to be taking up the chief executive position at FIGO – an organisation with a unique global role in improving the health and wellbeing of women, girls and newborns and advocating for their rights.”
Jeanne Conry, president of FIGO, said: “As the global voice for women’s health, FIGO promotes the wellbeing of women and raises the standards of OB GYN practice around the world.
“We carried out an international search for an individual with a track record of established leadership to collaborate on the global scale with our member societies, regional federations, partners and to help drive forward our ambitious strategic plan.
“We have found that person in Frances and are pleased to welcome her to FIGO.”