The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has announced the appointment of a new CEO.

The current CEO of Cifas, the UK's fraud prevention service, Simon Dukes will replace current PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe in May 2018, the negotiator announced today (18 December).

Ms Sharpe has been in post at PSNC since 2001.

'Vital role'

Of his appointment, Mr Dukes said: 'Community pharmacies perform a vital role for the citizen, and I am very pleased indeed to have been selected as the new CEO for PSNC.

'I look forward to working with the chairman, members and PSNC team to help develop the NHS community pharmacy service for the future'

'Unanimous' decision

PSNC chairman Sir Mike Pitt said: 'I am very pleased Simon will be joining us as CEO. PSNC appointed recruitment consultants to advise and assist our appointments panel in a rigorous search and selection programme to ensure it found the best possible candidate for this important and complex role.

'The appointments panel was unanimous in agreeing that Simon had all the qualities we were seeking, and would be the right person to lead the work of PSNC in the demanding environment community pharmacy faces. The committee too approved the appointment unanimously, and we look forward to working with Simon.'

Ms Sharpe said: 'I am delighted that Simon will be our new CEO. He has the experience and expertise from outside the health sector and will bring fresh thinking and strong leadership of the organisation, supported by the excellent team here.'