Hilda has been the Chief Admiral Nurse and Chief Executive Officer for Dementia UK since 2013. A dual registered nurse she has over 40 years’ experience developing and leading dementia specialist teams and services throughout the NHS. During this time, Hilda has held senior positions in clinical services, hospital management and higher education. She held Principal Lecturer posts at both London South Bank University and University of Northampton, specialising in older people’s mental health, dementia and community care. She is a Visiting Fellow of dementia studies at the University of Northampton.

Hilda's doctorate focused on how and why social connectedness changes in families living with the effects of behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia.

Hilda has co-authored several books on dementia including the recently published ‘What You Really Want to Know about Working with Dementia- real issues and expert advice,’ Examining issues experienced by a range of professionals and giving expert advice on how to provide excellent person centred care for people living with dementia, published December 2024.”