Announcement from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), UK.

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It was announced by the RCM in February that Dame Karlene Davis, who became general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives in 1997 and was the first black woman to lead a British trade union, will step down from her post later in the year and plans to retire in October.

Dame Karlene is well known to midwives worldwide through her role as President of the International Confederation of Midwives which she has held since 2005.

RCM chairman Debby Gould praised Dame Karlene's achievements and said: 'Generations of women and babies also have been well served by a champion who has campaigned for high quality locally based maternity care, which is safe and provides women with choice.'

Dame Karlene said: "Having played a part in the campaign to recognise the immense value of midwifery to the good health of the nation, I look forward to continuing to support...