Four new trustees join the Royal College of Pharmacy

The recently-launched Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) has appointed four trustees and a new head of patient safety.

The RCPharm has announced the appointment of three new members to its trustee board and the election of another member from its senate.

The trustees appointed after interview are National Voices chief executive Jacob Lant, Katie Mantell, chief executive of RCVS Knowledge, and chartered accountant John Turner.

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The newly elected trustee is Professor Claire Anderson – who was president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society before it transitioned into the royal college earlier this month.

Dr Emily Kennedy, currently the clinical pharmacist for climate emergency and sustainability at the Scottish Government and lead pharmacist for respiratory and sustainability at NHS Dumfries and Galloway, has also been appointed as head of professional standards, guidance and patient safety.

She will lead the development of the RCPharm’s professional standards and guidance, supporting pharmacists and pharmacy teams to deliver safe, high-quality care, the college said.

Karen Baxter, interim chief executive of the RCPharm, said Dr Kenndy brings to the role ‘a wealth of experience across clinical practice and national policy, alongside a strong commitment to patient safety and professional standards’.

Most of the trustee board will be registered pharmacists, drawn from the governance body of the college – the senate – which advises the board on professional matters, the RCPharm said.

It added that the president Tase Oputu and three national pharmacy advisory council chairs will also serve as trustees, alongside further elected members by the senate.

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The board of trustees holds ‘ultimate responsibility’ for the RCPharm’s governance, strategy, and legal compliance. It provides strategic oversight, ensures the college meets its legal and charitable duties, and holds the executive team to account for delivery, the college said.

The board of trustees includes:

• Chair: Joe Irvin OBE (appointed)
• Vice Chair: to be appointed
• President: Tase Oputu (elected)
• Vice President: Mahendra Patel (elected)
• Vice President: Catriona Sinclair (elected)
• Vice President: Liz Hallett (elected)
• Elected: Claire Anderson
• Appointed: Jacob Lant, chief executive of National Voices
• Appointed: Katie Mantell, chief executive RCVS Knowledge
• Appointed: John Turner, chartered accountant

The board will meet four to six times a year, with its first meeting taking place on Thursday 23 April, when the vice chair will be selected.

Joe Irvin, chair of the board of trustees, said: ‘These appointments represent a significant step forward for the royal college. Each of our new trustees brings expertise, integrity and a deep understanding of the responsibilities that come with public trust.

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‘The Royal College of Pharmacy is setting out as an ambitious and purposeful organisation committed to placing pharmacy at the forefront of patient care.’

Ms Oputu, added: ‘With its trustee board now strengthened, the RCPharm has the leadership and governance in place that will support its ambitions to establish a strong, credible and future‑focused professional leadership body, supporting professionals and driving excellence in practice for the benefit of patients and the public.’