Former director of external affairs at Asthma + Lung UK Henry Gregg has today started in post as the new chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).

When he was appointed in March, Mr Gregg vowed to build strong links with the government and fight for pharmacies to ensure they had the right support and could play a ‘bigger role’.

Today, NPA chair Olivier Picard welcomed Mr Gregg in post and said he was certain he would be a ‘compelling voice’ for the sector.

Related Article: Deadline for Pharmacy First, contraception and hypertension ‘bundle’ this week

‘It is great that Henry is now with us, to help take the NPA to the next level in terms of support for our members and the wider sector,’ said Mr Picard.

While at Asthma + Lung UK, Mr Gregg led a campaign to ban cigarettes for everyone born after 2009 and smoking outside hospitals, playgrounds and schools, and campaigned for respiratory vaccines and management of lung conditions in community pharmacies.

Mr Gregg has also worked as director of strategy and culture at the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, and led member relations at the National Housing Federation, where he supported the housing sector in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Mr Picard added: ‘I’m certain he will also be a compelling voice for independent community pharmacy, following his years of successful campaigning in the health and housing sectors.’

He noted that it was ‘exciting times’ at the NPA, with a new board, new chief executive and a ‘growing’ membership.

Related Article: Government urged to expand pharmacy respiratory services to ease winter pressures

‘Our membership is growing, a new board has been formed and now our new chief executive will help modernise and steer the association into our next phase at the heart of community pharmacy across the UK, said Mr Picard.

Upon the announcement of his appointment in March, Mr Gregg had said: ‘I am excited to be joining the NPA at a pivotal time for community pharmacy.

‘I’m looking forward to working with the NPA team, building strong links with government so we can deliver the support pharmacies so desperately need and the bigger role they can undoubtedly play in everyone’s health.

‘I want to focus on fighting for pharmacies and raising the profile of their amazing work, but also making sure the NPA is offering the best possible service and support for a network upon which so many people rely.

Related Article: Low-carbon COPD inhaler approved by MHRA

‘I can’t wait to meet the team and start meeting NPA members across the UK.’

His appointment came after previous chief executive Paul Rees left the NPA last year to work as the interim chief executive of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).