RPS England director Ravi Sharma resigns to take up top job at Luton & Dunstable University Hospital

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) England director, Ravi Sharma, has resigned after four years on the job.

He will be leaving the RPS in October to join Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, part of the Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust group, as head of pharmacy.

RPS will be commencing the recruitment of a new director for England shortly and in the interim Ravi will be working with Paul Bennett, the RPS CEO, to help in delivery of key objectives and in the appointment of his successor.

Paul commented: “Ravi has made a significant contribution to the organization during his time with us. His drive and enthusiasm for advancing the recognition of the role of the Society itself and of pharmacists and professional practice is probably best reflected by his desire to ensure a real focus on personalized medicines and his work on equality and diversity, workforce wellbeing, and most recently the development of a new vision for pharmacy in England.

"He has developed stronger relationships and collaborative working with Government, Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, professional leadership bodies, organisations and patient groups over the years to support implementation of our policies and advocacy work.

“Ravi became a Fellow of the Society in 2022, in well-deserved recognition of his contribution to the profession and I know we can expect to see him remain close to the work of the RPS and a real advocate for the Society’s professional leadership role.

Ravi Sharma commented: "It’s been an honour and a privilege to lead the team in England at RPS on behalf of our members, and the wider profession.

“I want to pay tribute to the dedication of my colleagues who have been instrumental in supporting the profession through Covid-19, raising the profile of pharmacy with NHS leaders and politicians and bringing our strategy on inclusion and diversity to life.

“Our recent collaborative work on co-creating a vision for pharmacy in England will provide the profession with a blueprint for the future. This work will continue, I look forward to seeing it develop from my new vantage point within the NHS.

“Improving care for patients and the public through pharmacy remains my personal mission. I am hugely excited about the opportunity to work with the senior leadership team at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. I am looking forward to putting theory into practice, working with the fantastic team who are delivering critical NHS hospital services.

“I’m very appreciative of the fantastic opportunities I’ve had at RPS and I am confident the organisation will continue to represent the best of pharmacy and professional leadership in the future.