FIGO appoints Frances Longley as new CEO

Frances has substantial experience as an advocate for women’s rights and especially their right to sexual and reproductive health. She has a strong track record growing successful and effective organisations and championing healthy and inclusive cultures. Together with a broad network of volunteers, Frances will lead FIGO to deliver on its ten-year strategy through four key pillars: education, research implementation, advocacy, and capacity building. 

“As the global voice for women’s health, FIGO promotes the wellbeing of women and raises the standards of OBGYN 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.” – Dr Jeanne Conry, FIGO President 

Frances will replace current FIGO CEO Professor Mary Ann Lumsden, who has led FIGO since 2020 and is retiring this year to focus on academic and personal endeavours and her family. On her appointment, 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 CEO 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.” – Frances Longley 

Frances was ActionAid UK’s first woman CEO in its 50-year history. Prior to that she worked with CARE International UK as Executive Director for Programmes & Policy, following four years as Chief Executive of Amref Health Africa UK. She held senior interim roles with Unicef UK. 

Frances was appointed as chair of the UK NGO sector working group on Leadership and Culture for Safeguarding in 2018. She regularly writes and speaks on the role of leadership and culture, and has provided consultancy and mentorship to organisations and individual leaders.  

Frances is a board member at the Joffe Charitable Trust, a member of the BBC Appeals Advisory Committee and sits on the University of Oxford Social Sciences and Humanities Research Ethics Committee. She has a Masters in Development Studies from SOAS University of London.