Applications are now open for three voluntary trustees to join the board of the future Royal College of Pharmacy.
The Royal College of Pharmacy is expected to launch in April after members of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) voted in favour of the Society registering as a charity and becoming a Royal College in March 2025.
Joe Irvin OBE was appointed as the inaugural chair of the board of trustees in November 2025.
Following this, nominations for inaugural Royal College of Pharmacy elections opened last month for places on the three National Advisory Councils (currently called National Pharmacy Boards) in England, Scotland and Wales.
Trustee role and responsibilities
Royal College of Pharmacy trustees will work with the chair and elected members to lead the strategic direction, governance and finances, and ensure its work benefits the public by supporting professionals to achieve excellence in patient care.
RPS president Claire Anderson, said: ‘These trustee roles offer a unique opportunity to help shape the future Royal College of Pharmacy at a time of transformation for both the organisation and the wider healthcare system.
‘We’re looking for people who bring strategic insight, strong governance experience and a deep understanding of the charity sector to help guide the next chapter of our development as a future Royal College.’
Board composition
The RPS said that the majority of the trustee board will be registered, or formerly registered, pharmacists, drawn from the Senate – the College’s governance body that will advise the board of trustees on professional matters.
Trustees will be appointed for an initial term of up to three years, with the option to renew for two further terms. It will require a commitment of up to one day per month.
Applications are open from 4 February to 8 March 2026 and the RPS has published a candidate pack for more information and details of how to apply.
Support from the sector
Last month, an open letter by the Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board (UKPPLAB) urged the sector to come together ahead of the Royal College of Pharmacy’s expected launch.
The letter said that it has the potential to ‘unite pharmacy in a way we have not seen before’.
A version of this article was originally published by our sister publication The Pharmacist.
