Andy Catterall / The Pharmaceutical Journal
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has announced that Joe Irvin will be the first chair of the new Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) board of trustees.
In an announcement published on 24 November 2025, the RPS said Irvin would be “instrumental in guiding the new royal college during its founding period”.
Irvin was a trustee and chair of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations from 2013 to 2019. He has also held chief executive positions for charities including the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action and Living Streets.
Irvin, who was awarded an OBE in 2020 for services to charities, will take up the role from the launch of RCPharm, which is expected to be in April 2026.
“I’m delighted and honoured to become the RCPharm first chair of trustees, helping the new college deliver on its huge ambitions for the future and become the highly regarded royal college that pharmacy deserves,” he said.
“I look forward to working with the president, senate, trustee board, [chief executive] and wider RCPharm team to help lead and guide the college from its earliest days, towards its mission of placing pharmacy at the forefront of patient care.
“The RPS has a long and proud history of serving the pharmacy profession. Now we are embarking on an exciting new chapter. RCPharm will help take pharmacy to a new level. As chair of trustees, I will be proud to guide the college on that journey.”
Paul Bennett, chief executive of the RPS, said: “Joe brings impressive strategic leadership experience and a commitment to inclusion that strongly aligns with that of the RPS and the future royal college. His leadership will play a vital role in the success of the new royal college as it navigates the complex change ahead and seeks to build a strong, unified and influential voice for pharmacy.
“The chair of trustees, working collaboratively with the president and members of the senate, will help forge the best possible future for the college, members, pharmacy and patients.”
Claire Anderson, president of the RPS, said: “I am delighted that Joe Irvin will be the first chair of trustees for the new royal college, a pivotal and defining role that will help shape the future of pharmacy professional leadership, at a time of significant and continuing change.
“I feel sure that his leadership will help enable the new royal college to successfully navigate the fast-changing pharmacy landscape and drive excellence in practice and professional standards, to the benefit of patients, members and the wider pharmacy community.”
Irvin will also act as a lay member of the RPS Assembly until the board of trustees is formed, which will enable him to “contribute to, and become familiar with, the work of RPS and the future royal college, its leadership and governance; and be able to transition smoothly to his role as the chair of trustees of the new royal college from the start”, the RPS statement said.
