General Pharmaceutical Council
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has announced Kathie Cashell as its new chief executive and registrar.
Cashell, who currently holds the position of deputy director general at the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), will take up her role on 2 March 2026.
She began her career as a nurse and previously worked for the Healthcare Commission, a forerunner of the Care Quality Commission, where she led work to redesign the processes for handling NHS complaints.
Commenting on the appointment, Gisela Abbam, chair of the GPhC said: “Kathie will join the GPhC at a pivotal time, as we take forward the delivery of our new strategic plan 2025–2030.
“Kathie’s leadership will be instrumental in achieving our strategic aims of empowering pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to provide trusted, safe and effective pharmacy care, protecting patients and the public by working collaboratively with healthcare regulators and other stakeholders, and building a skilled, agile and inclusive organisation.
“Kathie brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience in regulation, governance and public protection, which will be invaluable at a time when there are significant opportunities but also significant challenges facing the pharmacy sector.”
Cashell said: “Throughout my career I have been focused on improving outcomes for service users and I look forward to leading the GPhC to achieve its vision of safe and effective care at the heart of healthier communities, by empowering pharmacists and protecting the public through its vital work.”
The GPhC’s previous chief executive, Duncan Rudkin, announced that he would step down after 15 years in post in July 2025.
Chris Askew, former chief executive of the Royal College of General Practitioners, has held the role of interim chief executive since 1 October 2025.
