CEO Office in London

Role: Board Trustee of the Royal College of Pharmacy

Location: London/remote

We are looking for up to three talented people to bring wider expertise to our board and complement the skills of our elected pharmacists and the Chair, Joe Irvin OBE. Our Trustees will help steer our strategic direction and ensure the good governance and financial wellbeing of the College. With a proud history of more than a century, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society is now transforming itself into the Royal College of Pharmacy, a registered charity providing public benefit, to sit alongside the other medical royal colleges. This change is due in Spring 2026.

As we already have expertise in pharmacy, this is not a requirement; however, one of the new trustees must have specialist expertise in charity finance. This is a voluntary role, and you would be expected to attend formal board meetings (in person and online) four times a year – and annually for a full-day strategic review and planning session. Trustees serve for a term of up to three years with an option for appointment for a further two terms.

Principal Duties as a Board Member:

• Contribute actively to the Board, in giving firm strategic direction to the charity, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• Ensure that the charity complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• Ensure that the charity pursues its mission, as defined by the objects in its governing document and uses its resources exclusively for the delivery of that mission.
• Ensure effective and efficient administration of the charity.

Person Specification:

• Demonstrable strategic leadership – with ability to focus on long‑term direction and outcomes rather than operational detail.
• Experience leading or advising organisations through growth, change, or uncertainty.
• Experience within or exposure to sectors with particular sensitivities or complexities, e.g. healthcare, membership, safeguarding or equality‑focused work.
• Desirable expertise in areas such as change management, marketing and communication, commercial success of a trading subsidiary, safeguarding, education, professional accreditation.
• Knowledge of the wider healthcare environment and in particular patient voice would also be an advantage.

About The RPS:

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is the professional leadership body for pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists in Great Britain. We support pharmacists in their education and development, promote pharmacy in the media and government, and lead the way in medicines information across Great Britain and around the world. Our mission is to put pharmacy at the forefront of healthcare. Our vision is to become the world leader in the safe and effective use of medicines.

How to Apply:

Briefly describe how your skills, experience and personal qualities make you a good candidate for this role. Refer to the role description and person specification for inspiration. (800-word limit)

Your specific areas of expertise that will be beneficial to our board of trustees. Each candidate will be shortlisted based on merit, and interview and appointment selection will be strictly based on the agreed selection criteria. The Equality Act 2010 permits reasonable adjustments that may give preferential treatment to an individual with a disability.

Closing date: 8th March 2026

Interviews will be held 1st and 2nd April 2026

If you would like to learn more about the role, view our candidate pack. We are passionate about creating a culture of belonging, inclusion, and diversity; these are part of our core values at RPS and we are striving to have an organisation that represents the diversity of the profession. At RPS we do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, age, or disability and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.