The Royal Pharmaceutical Society today announced the appointment of Helen Gordon as Chief Executive of the new Professional Leadership Body. Mrs Gordon will join the Society on the 1st of July.

Mrs Gordon comes to the Society from her current position as Chief Executive of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Prior to leading the RCOG for the past five years, Mrs Gordon was Chief Executive of Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS Trust from 2000-2005.

RPSGB President, Steve Churton said: "I am delighted to welcome Helen to the Society at this pivotal time in its history. Helen is a highly regarded senior manager who has a clear understanding of the healthcare arena. This appointment will bring skills, knowledge and experience to the new Professional Leadership Body and will ensure we deliver exceptional service to members in all areas."

The Chairs of the three national Pharmacy Boards, England Chair Lindsey Gilpin, Wales Chair Nuala Brennan and Scotland Chair Sandra Melville said: "We warmly welcome Helen as Chief Executive of the new Professional Leadership Body. This is a hugely exciting time for pharmacy and we look forward to working closely with her and our members to develop the future for the profession across Great Britain."

Professor Nick Barber, Chair of the Appointment Panel, said: "Helen made a powerful impression on the interview panel. A warm and personable character, Helen brings a wealth of health related management experience to the post. With overall strategy being set by the Boards and Assembly in the future, Helen is the person with the skills to make it happen, and to deliver the membership organisation pharmacists deserve."

Speaking about her appointment, Mrs Gordon said: "I'm delighted to have this opportunity to join the Society as it moves towards an exciting new future.

"Pharmacists play a vital role in providing effective health care on a daily basis across a wide variety of settings. I very much look forward to leading the Society in its core mission of providing high quality services to members and championing their professional interests."

Jeremy Holmes, who joined the Society in 2007, continues to lead the demerger process as Chief Executive and Registrar. A date for the formal transfer of his responsibilities for the professional body to Mrs Gordon will be announced once the date of the demerger is known.

From 1st July Mrs Gordon will be involved in an intensive period of induction and orientation ensuring her readiness for the new role of Chief Executive of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, a professional body that will be clearly focused on the needs and aspirations of members.

Notes

Helen Gordon MBA was previously known as Helen Moffatt. Prior to leading the RCOG, Helen was Chief Executive of Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS Trust from 2000-2005, where she was accountable for all the functions of an acute NHS hospital. Before that, she held a number of senior clinical and managerial positions within the NHS including Executive Director of Operations and Acting Chief Executive for a year at Hillingdon Hospital, West London.

At the RCOG, Helen was accountable for the development, governance and operation of the college, which provides training for obstetricians and gynaecologists throughout the UK and has members in 98 countries across five continents. The College currently has 120 staff and a commercial arm, and has a turnover of £10 million per year.

Helen led the RCOG through a period of significant change and re-organisation developing strong and productive working relationships between elected officers, senior managers and staff during her stewardship, helping to reposition the RCOG as a dynamic and highly effective membership organisation. Helen also supported the College in becoming a leading advocate across a variety of issues such as workforce, quality and safety agendas.

Source
Royal Pharmaceutical Society