My friend Nicola Close, who has died aged 75 of cancer, was a public health leader who made a major contribution to the field as chief executive of the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH). Starting as its sole employee in 2007, she built an influential organisation currently employing 19 people.
This became especially evident during the Covid-19 pandemic, when directors of public health, whose role includes providing local leadership and implementing national guidance, were thrust into the spotlight. To support members to work more effectively, and strengthen communication between central government and local communities, Nicola helped break down barriers to data sharing, and secure regular meetings between directors of public health and UK chief medical officers. In 2025 she was made MBE for services to public health.
