Many of you will know or have seen how passionate I am about community pharmacy. That passion comes from something deeper: my belief in the power of community. My parents, who came to the UK from Kenya in the late 1960s, became the heart of our local community in Walthamstow. They taught my sister and me that community is about belonging. Growing up in a diverse environment where everyone was accepted shaped who I am. That is how I want members of the Royal College of Pharmacy to feel — that they truly belong to a supportive and empowering professional community.
I believe my purpose is to make people’s lives better. As chief executive of Community Pharmacy North East London, I support 370 community pharmacies to be the best they can be, so they can serve their communities effectively. Serving on the NPAC of the Royal College of Pharmacy would allow me to amplify that impact — supporting over 10,000 community pharmacies, strengthening the pharmacy profession nationwide.
As a female leader from a working-class ethnic background, I want others to see that hard work and perseverance matter. Success is not measured only financially; it is reflected in service, influence and the positive difference we make in people’s lives.
Representation matters. I want pharmacists to see someone who looks like them on the advisory council. In the UK, healthcare staff are diverse, yet senior leadership often is not. Boards and advisory councils must reflect the profession they represent. We as individuals must be willing to step forward to try and change that.
Putting yourself forward can feel daunting: fear of failure, imposter syndrome, not fitting in. Yet it can also be empowering. Regardless of the outcome, I will support anyone seeking leadership — whether applying for a promotion, board or trustee role. I am willing to talk, review applications and help with interviews.
I have sat at tables where my voice was not heard, sometimes, I feel because I am a woman. I have learnt that influence does not require volume. Through volunteering with Samaritans, I have learned the power of listening and the power of silence. In my various roles in pharmacy leadership, I have learnt how to speak with clarity and purpose.
If elected, I promise to use my voice to strengthen our profession and ensure every member feels proud to belong to the Royal College of Pharmacy.
Shilpa Shah
Candidate for the inaugural elections to the English Pharmacy Advisory Council
