National pharmacy advisory council election results announced

The inaugural members of the three national advisory councils to the new Royal College of Pharmacy have been announced.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) today announced the results of the elections for the three National Pharmacy Advisory Councils in England, Scotland and Wales.

These councils will form a key part of the new governance structure of the future Royal College of Pharmacy, which is due to launch next month.

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Each council, and its elected members, will be responsible for developing pharmacy policy and practice in their nation, supporting professional development activity in their nation, and engaging with members and representing the college.

RPS chief executive Paul Bennett said: ‘My sincere thanks go to all the candidates who put themselves forward this year and for the time and dedication they invested. Their enthusiasm, leadership and passion reflect their commitment to building an ambitious and confident royal college that benefits both professionals and patients.

‘I extend a warm welcome our newly elected council members as we take this important step towards building an inclusive and influential royal college for pharmacy.

‘I’d also like to thank everyone who voted. The contributions of new and continuing elected members will be crucial to the success and effectiveness of the new Royal College of Pharmacy, so that it can deliver on the high expectations and ambitions we all share.’

The election results are yet another step towards the RPS transitioning into a royal college on 15 April, after earlier this week King Charles approved changes to the organisation’s Royal Charter.

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The candidates who have been elected to the England council are:

• Bruce Warner: Elected - 3 year term
• Joseph Williams: Elected - 3 year term
• Mahendra G Patel OBE: Elected - 3 year term
• Claire Nevinson: Elected - 3 year term
• Katherine Pearson: Elected - 2 year term
• Sarah Baig: Elected - 2 year term
• Mildred Johnson: Elected - 2 year term
• Aisling Considine: Elected - 2 year term

The candidates who have been elected to the Welsh council are:

• Aled Roberts: Elected - 3 year term
• Gareth Hughes: Elected - 3 year term
• Liz Hallett: Elected - 3 year term
• Sarah Brown: Elected - 2 year term
• Clare Clement: Elected - 2 year term
• Amy Jayham: Elected - 2 year term

Five nominations were received for the five vacancies on the Scottish council, so no election was required. The candidates who were elected unopposed were:

• Jonathan Burton: Elected - 3 year term
• Kellie King: Elected - 3 year term
• Joshua Miller: Elected - 3 year term
• Paul Forsyth: Elected - 2 year term
• Jill Swan: Elected - 2 year term

Lots were drawn to determine the allocation of the terms of office, the RPS added. The RPS said the newly-elected council members will be able to put themselves forward for additional roles in the royal college by being elected to positions on the Senate and the Board of Trustees – these positions will be announced in late March.

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National Pharmacy Association (NPA) chair, Olivier Picard, said: ‘On behalf of the NPA, I congratulate the new board as the RPS takes this important step towards becoming the Royal College of Pharmacy.

‘We have long valued our constructive relationship with the society and look forward to continuing that collaboration as the college takes shape.’