The chair of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), Nigel Clarke, is to step down after eight years in the role.

The GPhC is now recruiting for a new chair to take over once Mr Clarke’s term ends in March 2022. The recruit will be employed on a three-year term, with the possibility of being reappointed for a maximum of eight years in the role.

Applicants should be available for three days per week and will be paid a salary of £60,000 per annum.

Recruitment for the role was launched this week and will run until 2 August 2021.

The GPhC said it was seeking an ‘inspirational’ chair and would accept applications from both lay and registrant candidates.

In the job advert, the GPhC said: ‘We are looking for a Chair with proven ability to chair a complex, high-profile organisation, who can operate strategically.

‘The successful candidate will have high-level governance and organisational skills, the ability to lead Council in strategic debate, as well as outstanding interpersonal and stakeholder management skills and the ability to support collective decision-making.

‘The Chair will share our commitment to deliver equality, improve diversity, and will be inclusive in dealing with people and issues honestly, fairly and with respect.’

Outgoing chair, Mr Clarke, said: ‘The experiences of the last year have highlighted to many people something of which the Council was already aware – that pharmacy is a rapidly changing and developing profession with increasing clinical responsibilities and opportunities. The Council needs to be alive to the changes and anticipating how they will impact on patients, the professions and how they are regulated.

‘Our new Chair will have the opportunity to help shape the future of pharmacy and of health professional regulation as we plan for change. If you are interested in being part of this rapidly developing landscape and have the qualities and commitment that we need, we would like to hear from you.’

In April, the GPhC launched a 12-week consultation on its draft five-year strategy, which aims to ‘deliver equality, improve diversity and foster inclusion’. The consultation is open until 12 July.