Royal College of Midwives

What Royal College of Midwives does

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM), founded in 1881, is the UK's combined professional association and trade union for midwives, student midwives, and maternity support workers (MSWs). Operating from its London headquarters at 10-18 Union Street and country offices in Belfast, Cardiff, and Edinburgh with approximately 80 staff, RCM represents over 50,000 members—described by the organisation as the largest midwifery membership body globally. It serves members through workplace advocacy, pay negotiation support via the NHS Agenda for Change framework, professional development, and direct policy engagement with the four UK governments, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.

RCM's core product portfolio centres on three proprietary assets: MIDIRS (Midwives Information and Resource Service), a subscription research database containing over 300,000 maternity-specific abstracts and the quarterly MIDIRS Midwifery Digest journal, marketed as the world's largest maternity-specific research database and serving subscribers in 20+ countries; i-learn, an e-learning platform offering over 150 midwifery-specific CPD modules with interactive elements, video, and reflective activities, accessible exclusively to members; and the RCM Career Framework, a structured career pathway resource. The organisation is structured as a company limited by guarantee and registered charity (charity number 275261), with no parent company, no shareholders, and an elected Board composed of practising midwives and MSWs.

RCM's revenue derives primarily from tiered individual membership subscriptions (ranging from £20.92 annually for student midwives to £307.07 for full members and £367.07 for Fellows), MIDIRS database subscriptions sold to individuals and institutions with a 20% member discount, and alliance partnerships with consumer health brands including Slimming World and Vitabiotics Pregnacare that pay for brand association and access to the midwifery community. Distribution combines self-serve individual sign-up via rcm.org.uk, NHS workplace branches in most Trusts and Boards across the UK, university midwifery society partnerships through the MidSoc network, and country offices providing dedicated regional representation. International reach extends through MIDIRS subscriptions in 20+ countries and RCM's leadership roles in the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), European Midwives Association (EMA), and the European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations (EFNNMA).

Name

Royal College of Midwives

Legal name

The Royal College of Midwives

Website

https://rcm.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1881

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Royal College of Midwives is a UK professional association and trade union serving 50,000+ midwives, student midwives, and maternity support workers, providing workplace representation, CPD via the i-learn platform, and the MIDIRS maternity research database.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: The RCM generates primary revenue through tiered membership subscriptions. Full member costs £25.59/month (£307.07 annually), student members pay £1.74/month (£20.92 annually), newly qualified midwives £12.74/month, and MSWs £11.05/month. Fellow membership is £30.59/month. International zones have separate pricing.
2. MIDIRS Subscriptions: MIDIRS (Midwives Information & Resource Service) generates revenue through individual and institutional subscriptions for access to the Maternity and Infant Care database (300,000+ records), the quarterly MIDIRS Midwifery Digest journal, weekly Latest Research Updates, and search packs. RCM members receive 20% discount.
3. Alliance Partnerships: Revenue from alliance partnerships with organizations like Slimming World and Pregnacare (Vitabiotics), who pay for association with RCM brand and access to midwifery community for product promotion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is the UK's professional association and trade union for midwives, student midwives, and maternity support workers. It sells tiered individual memberships that bundle workplace representation, professional development, legal and financial advice, and policy advocacy. It also operates the MIDIRS maternity research database and the i-learn e-learning platform as core member-facing services.

Product overview

The Royal College of Midwives operates as a membership organization providing a portfolio of professional services to midwives, student midwives, and maternity support workers across the UK. The core product portfolio centers on three main offerings: MIDIRS (a research database and journal service), i-learn (an e-learning platform), and the RCM Career Framework. These are complemented by the Fellowship Programme for professional recognition, comprehensive member support services including legal and financial advice, early career midwife resources, the Midwifery Society Network for students, and facilitation of various professional networks. The organization functions as both a professional association and trade union, with members accessing services through authenticated portals on the RCM website.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• i-learn: The RCM's e-learning platform offering over 150 midwifery-specific modules for professional development, accessible to RCM members.
• MIDIRS

Products and services

• MIDIRS (Midwives Information & Resource Service) A subscription-based information service providing access to over 300,000 maternity research abstracts in the Maternity and Infant Care database, the quarterly MIDIRS Midwifery Digest journal, and weekly Latest Research Update bulletins. Sold to midwives, students, allied health professionals, and institutions in over 20 countries.
• i-learn E-Learning Platform The RCM's e-learning platform offering over 150 midwifery-specific modules ranging from quick 10-minute refreshers to comprehensive packages such as 'Examination of the Newborn.' Includes interactive elements, videos, animations, quizzes, and reflective activities for continuous professional development (CPD) with downloadable certificates. Available exclusively to RCM members.
• RCM Career Framework A career pathway resource supporting midwives and maternity support workers at every stage of their professional journey. Provides information on roles in clinical practice, education, research, and leadership, along with an interactive quiz to help members explore career options.
• RCM Fellowship Programme A fellowship recognition programme (FRCM designation) for midwives demonstrating exceptional leadership and excellence in practice, education, or research. Includes a dedicated Fellows membership tier priced £30.59/month with associated professional development and networking opportunities.
• RCM Member Support Services Comprehensive membership services including workplace advice and representation, legal services, financial advice through partners Quilter, and access to the Cavell benevolent fund for midwives experiencing financial hardship due to illness, disability, domestic abuse, or cost-of-living pressures.
• Early Career Midwife Support Resources and guidance for newly qualified midwives including a Preceptorship Guide, access to i-learn modules, RCM library services, MIDIRS subscriptions, and events to support the transition from student to practicing midwife. Sold as a dedicated membership tier (£12.74/month).

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Confederation of Midwives (ICM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCM is a full member of ICM and nominates delegates including Gill Walton and Mervi Jokinen as ICM Council delegates. Lia Brigante serves as ICM Board Member for Europe (2023-2026 term). RCM sponsors ICM Triennial Congress and runs competitions to fund members to attend congress.
• European Midwives Association (EMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCM is a full member of EMA with Mervi Jokinen & Lia Brigante serving as delegates. Mervi Jokinen was former president of EMA (2009-2021). RCM participates in European midwifery policy and advocacy.
• European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations (EFNNMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCM is a member of EFNNMA with Mervi Jokinen serving as President. Lia Brigante & Mervi Jokinen are EFNNMA delegates, contributing to WHO Regional Office for Europe engagement.
• Slimming WorldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance partnership to raise awareness of healthy weight management in pregnancy. Slimming World has developed resources including BMI calculator, discussing weight booklet, and i-learn module on obesity. RCM members can access Slimming World cards to give to women. Slimming World supports RCM's Caring for You Campaign with healthy eating resources.
• Vitabiotics PregnacarecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAlliance partnership with UK's No.1 pregnancy supplement brand (over 35 years). Pregnacare provides educational resources including A-Z Pregnancy Guide PDF. Vitabiotics received Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation 2013 for Pregnacare research.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCM works with WHO Regional Office for Europe, WHO headquarters in Geneva, and has representative on Cardiff University's WHO Collaborating Centre for Midwifery Development advisory group. Lia Brigante is ICM representative for WHO selected groups including guidance development groups and STAGE working group.
• Cardiff University WHO Collaborating Centre for Midwifery DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCM has a representative on the advisory group which engages in WHO projects to strengthen midwifery education and practice. Grace Thomas was Director of this WHOCC until 2024.
• Centre for Sustainable HealthcareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with RCOG and Sustainable Healthcare Coalition to deliver project on low carbon, equitable maternity care. One-year project engaging multidisciplinary maternity community through studying care pathways and supporting QI projects.
• Cavell (Benevolent Fund)coreOthersCavell looks after the RCM Benevolent Fund and provides grants, benefits advice, debt advice, and emotional support to midwives and MSWs in financial crisis due to illness, disability, domestic abuse, or cost of living increases. Also provides webinar series on stress, financial empowerment, and brilliance.
• UN Population Fund (UNFPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCM works collaboratively with UNFPA on maternal and newborn health initiatives and global midwifery development.
• Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCM collaborates with THET on global health partnerships and midwifery capacity building in developing countries.
• UN Women UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCM collaborates with UN Women UK on advocacy for women's rights and gender equality in maternal health.
• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCM works with RCOG through the 'One Voice' initiative to promote multidisciplinary respectful working essential to maternity safety and improvement. RCM library is hosted by RCOG.
• Trades Union Congress (TUC) and Regional CongressescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCM is affiliated to TUC (England), STUC (Scotland), Wales TUC, and ICTU (Northern Ireland). RCM has seat on TUC General Council and Public Services Forum. Workplace representatives access development through TUC Education and Organising Academy.
• Redactive Publishing LtdminorOthersRedactive Publishing publishes Midwives magazine, Evidence Based Midwifery and Midwives Jobs on behalf of The Royal College of Midwives.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• BMJ (British Medical Journal): Major medical publisher and CPD provider that overlaps with RCM's i-learn and MIDIRS offerings in evidence-based clinical learning and research dissemination for health professionals. Not a union peer, but a credible comparator for the digital-CPD and research-database product line.

Direct peers

• British Medical Association: UK trade union and professional association for doctors. Mirrors RCM's dual function for a different clinical profession, including NHS pay negotiation, CPD, and policy advocacy — direct structural and operational analogue.
• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists: UK professional body for obstetricians. Active 'One Voice' partner of RCM and shares the same NHS-maternity workforce constituency. Provides a near-direct functional comparison on credentialing, CPD, and multidisciplinary maternity workforce advocacy.
• Royal College of Nursing: The UK's trade union and professional body for nursing staff. Closest structural peer to RCM — same dual trade union + professional association model, NHS-focused membership, similar CPD and workplace representation services, but operating at much larger scale (450k+ members).
• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy: UK trade union and professional body for physiotherapy staff. Same dual-function union-plus-association model serving an NHS allied health profession — direct structural and revenue-model peer even though clinical focus differs.

Broad incumbents

• Royal College of Physicians: One of the senior UK medical royal colleges. Provides credentialing, CPD, exams (MRCP), and policy work for physicians — close functional analogue for RCM's professional association activities, though at materially larger scale.
• International Confederation of Midwives: Global umbrella federation of midwifery associations of which RCM is a member. Operates broader than RCM in scope (global rather than UK) but overlaps directly on international midwifery advocacy, standards-setting, and congress/training programming.
• Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health: UK royal college for paediatricians. Shares clinical adjacency to maternity/newborn services and operates the same professional-association-plus-CPD model as RCM, though serving a different (though related) clinical specialty.

Regional players

• Royal College of Midwives (Australia): The peak professional body for midwives in Australia. Mirrors RCM's professional association function for the same clinical profession in a different geography; useful comparator for international franchise expansion of the MIDIRS brand.
• American College of Nurse-Midwives: The professional association for certified nurse-midwives and midwives in the United States. Comparable scope to RCM — credentialing, advocacy, continuing education, and research support for the midwifery workforce — operating in the much larger US market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/midwivesrcm
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Midwivesmagazine
• Facebookfacebook.com/midwivesrcm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-royal-college-of-midwives
• Instagraminstagram.com/midwives_rcm/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Royal College of Midwives