Mahendra Patel elected to role of RPS treasurer

Mahendra Patel, a member of the English Pharmacy Board (EPB), has been elected treasurer of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS).

Patel was originally elected on to the EPB in 2013, and has also served two previous terms on the Assembly. Speaking after taking up his new role, Patel emphasised that the role of treasurer “should at no times be perceived as a political or country-specific post, but always in the wider interest of the organisation and our profession encompassing England, Scotland and Wales equally”.

Patel described members as the “lifeblood” of the Society, and emphasised the need to continue to invest in membership services. He added that he was “keen to ensure there is clear and sustained investment in the early years, including prefoundation and foundation years and not just later years as part of career development — which, of course, is also imperative.

“I’m going in to learn and to work with people — we have board members across the three nations who are very knowledgeable about the workings of the Society and I’ll be looking to them for advice. And I will always be working closely with Simon Redman, the director of finance, and the rest of the executive team.

“I’m excited, and obviously cautious too, as this is a big responsibility. I intend to deliver to the best of my ability.”

Patel also acknowledged the “excellent and hard work” of David Thomson, who held the treasurer post from July 2016 until July 2018,  describing Thomson as a “dear friend [and] esteemed colleague”.