Karen Bonner MBE is the Regional Chief Nurse for NHS London region NHS England.

In her qualified nursing career, Karen has worked in several large NHS organisations in London. She was the Chief Nurse and Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust where she led during the pandemic between 2020-2024. She holds a diploma, a BSc (Hons) in Nursing and an MSc in advanced practice leadership from Kings College University. She is a graduate of the NHS Leadership Academy Senior Leaders and Nye Bevan programme and the Leadership College for Government Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) accelerated programme.

From 2017 until 2021 Karen was a member of the National Health Service (NHS) Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) strategic advisory group. She was recognised by the Health Service Journal (HSJ) in 2021- 2024 as one of the 50 most influential Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in health. To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the NHS, Nursing Times recognised Karen as one of the 75 nurses who have positively shaped the NHS over the past 75 years. In June 2024 she was awarded an MBE in recognition of her contribution to nursing, as part of the King’s Birthday Honours.

Karen is a member of the General Advisory Council at the King’s Fund. In a capacity as a volunteer and campaigner, Karen works with Prostate Cancer UK, to educate and raise awareness of the disease. She is also a Trustee at Helpforce, which seeks to bolster volunteering in health and social care and in 2022 her work saw her recognised as a Burdett Hero by the Burdett Trust for Nursing.

Karen is passionate and privileged to be a nurse.