Robert Francis

"Sir Robert Francis QC is a non-executive director of the Care Quality Commission. Sir Robert has been a barrister since 1973 and became a Queen’s Counsel in 1992. He is a Recorder (part time Crown Court judge) and authorised to sit as a Deputy High Court Judge. He is a governing Bencher of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, where he has chaired its Education and Training Committee.

"Sir Robert specialises in medical law, including medical and mental health treatment and capacity issues, clinical negligence and professional discipline. He has appeared in a number of healthcare-related inquiries and chaired the Independent Inquiry into the care provided by the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, and subsequently the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry.

"He is the honorary President of the Patients Association and a trustee of the Point of Care Foundation and the Prostate Cancer Research Centre. He has also been elected to an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists."

• Patron, Florence Nightinggale Foundation