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The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has announced sweeping changes to its leadership team in preparation for the organisation’s pivot to royal college status in April 2026. 

The changes come “as the organisation navigates the transformation that its members voted in favour of in March 2025” and develops its future strategy and governance processes, a statement today (August 19) explained. 

The existing chief officer roles – outside of the chief executive position – will no longer be required in future, with the organisation instead focusing on recruiting directors with “specialist charity experience”. 

Current chief executive Paul Bennett, who has held the position since July 2017, “plans to step back from his role in April 2026,” at which point the organisation expects to have “completed its transition to become the Royal College of Pharmacy”. 

Chief operating officer Rick Russell and chief technology officer Avril Chester are to leave the organisation, while deputy chief executive Karen Baxter will become interim CEO of the royal college once Mr Bennett stands down. 

The organisation is to recruit for “several key leadership roles,” including a director of finance and technology, and a director of education, as well as a chair of trustees for the new charity. 

In addition to the newly created charity, a wholly owned subsidiary will be created for publishing arm the Pharmaceutical Press. 

RPS CEO Paul Bennett said the new appointments will “ensure the organisation has the right skills, capabilities and structure in place” to help the future Royal College of Pharmacy “flourish”.

Mr Bennett said: “Our current leadership team have guided the organisation to this point and established the strong and sustainable financial and technological foundations the new royal college and publishing subsidiary will build on.”

He thanked the outgoing directors and said: “Now, at this pivotal moment it is important that we establish a future leadership team with charity and royal college experience that is the right one to take forward our ambitions.”

RPS president Claire Anderson said: “Establishing the right leadership for the royal college of the future is vital as we navigate this complex transition, and I applaud the collaborative, strategic and planned approach of the current executive team under Paul’s leadership, and supported by my colleagues on the chairs and officers group.

“The new Royal College of Pharmacy will start out in April 2026 invested with the hopes of all in pharmacy and an ambitious new strategy to put into action. 

“We must all stand ready to support the royal college as it sets out to deliver the strong and collaborative professional leadership body that pharmacy deserves.”