Why you should read this article:

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To enhance your understanding of what talent is and how to identify and nurture it in your team

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To inform your organisation’s policy around managing talent in the nursing and midwifery workforce

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To contribute towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD (UK readers)

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To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers)

Effective talent management is vital to retain skilled and experienced nurses and midwives in the NHS. In 2019, a group of NHS organisations in London set up a talent management support network (TMSN) aimed at helping specific groups of nurses and midwives facing challenges in fulfilling their professional potential. The network started by supporting nurses and midwives from minority ethnic backgrounds, later also offering the programme to dental nurses across England and to healthcare workers in Brazil. The network uses the power of action learning and networking in a framework that nurtures staff’s talents. This article describes the London TMSN team’s experience of setting up and running the network. It also explains how nursing and midwifery managers and leaders can create a business case for the development of a similar network in their setting.