Boots’ chief pharmacist Marc Donovan was one of three pharmacists honoured with an OBE as part of the Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honours list.

Mr Donovan has worked at Boots for more than 25 years, joining in 1996 as a pre-registration pharmacist, and has been in his current role since 2015.

Mr Donovan said: ‘I’m honoured to accept this recognition on behalf of the many dedicated and hard-working pharmacists and pharmacy teams that I have had the privilege to work alongside over the years. The positive difference that community pharmacy has made, and continues to make, is extraordinary and I feel privileged to have had such a rewarding career in the profession so far.’

As well as being responsible for all of Boots UK’s pharmacies, he also leads on the community pharmacy strategy, and represents Boots on various professional bodies across the UK.

Boots said that he played a ‘key role’ in rolling out Covid-19 testing and vaccinations across its sites; was ‘instrumental’ in introducing the Ask for ANI service across Boots stores; and has championed its partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, to the point where Boots now offers access to a Boots Macmillan information pharmacist in every store across the UK.

Also recognised with OBEs were Andrew Evans, the Welsh Government’s chief pharmaceutical officer, for his services to the Covid-19 response; and Sumeet Matharu, chief pharmacist, defence primary healthcare, Ministry of Defence, for services to armed forces healthcare.

Three pharmacists were recognised in the Queen’s 2022 New Year Honours list earlier this year.