The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has appointed Kathie Cashell as its new chief executive and registrar, and she will take up her position on 2 March 2026.
Kathie joins the GPhC from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), where she is deputy director general.
Welcoming the appointment, GPhC chair Gisela Abbam said, “Kathie will join the GPhC at a pivotal time, as we take forward the delivery of our new strategic plan 2025-30."
At IOPC, Kathie was responsible for improving public and officer confidence in police accountability arrangements; working with Government and stakeholders to agree significant reforms to the police complaints and conduct system.
She was responsible for increasing awareness and effectiveness of the complaints and conduct system across England and Wales and driving evidence-based changes to police training, policy and practice.
Kathie began her career as a nurse and previously worked for the Healthcare Commission, where she led work to redesign the processes for handling NHS complaints.
She introduced more efficient ways of working and the development of consistent reporting of performance and learning across the system.
Kathie said, “It is an honour to be appointed as the GPhC’s Chief Executive and Registrar at what is a pivotal time for the pharmacy sector. I am passionate about ensuring public trust in regulated professions and supporting professionals to deliver safe, effective and inclusive services."
GPhC’s interim chief executive and registrar, Chris Askew, will continue in that role until Kathie takes up the role.
RPS chief executive Paul Bennett has welcomed Kathie's appointment.
He said, “Kathie joins at a key time in healthcare and for the RPS as we work to create our strategic vision for the new Royal College of Pharmacy.
“I hope her leadership of the regulatory body will help drive forward our shared goals to advance pharmacy practice, deliver excellence in patient care, strengthen collaboration across the health system and champion an inclusive approach to professional leadership."
