On 30 September 2026, Robert Timson, aged 82 years, of Nottingham. Mr Timson registered with the College in 1966.
It is with great sadness we learnt of the death of Bob Timson, former area pharmacist in North Nottinghamshire, past president of the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists (GHP) (1981–1984), former council member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (PSGB) and a member of the Mental Health Commission.
He began his hospital career at Nottingham General Hospital, where he was in charge of the hospital sterile production unit, following which he spent a brief period with Travenol Ltd in their sterile services production unit before returning to Nottingham General to “industrialise” their sterile services production. He then moved jobs within the NHS before settling as area pharmacist (subsequently district pharmaceutical officer) based in Kings Mill Hospital in Mansfield, a post he subsequently combined with that of regional pharmacist for the NHS Trent region.
He was an enthusiastic advocate for pharmacy — particularly hospital pharmacy — with great strategic vision and was a case study for people wanting to chair meetings. He spent many years on the (then named) Guild of Hospital Pharmacists council, including three years as president (1981–1984) but was possibly best known for chairing Staff Side of Whitley Council. In this role, he was a tough and successful negotiator during a challenging period of recruitment to hospital pharmacy. His key achievements included the first nationally agreed out of hours (on call) payments and a flexible grading structure for hospital pharmacists with principles subsequently built on in today’s NHS Agenda for Change pay structure.
As a GHP stalwart, he fostered the development of the GHP in the East Midlands and nationally, exerting significant influence on the way (mostly with respect to associated improvements in terms and conditions). He was an ever present at the local branch meetings of the PSGB and East Midlands GHP. As a result of his many contributions and leadership, he was awarded the GHP Evan’s Gold Medal for an outstanding contribution to hospital pharmacy and Fellowship of the PSGB.
One of his many skills was that he had a photographic memory for names and faces, even after many years between meetings. However, following a DIY accident (he was an enthusiastic do it yourself), which gave him an enforced break from NHS, he decided to leave the public sector to set up Bob Timson Associates consultancy, providing responsible person support to small pharmaceutical wholesalers and medicines management advice to a wide range of NHS trusts. He became fully retired around 2020.
Many pharmacists (including us) will be grateful for the tremendous support and encouragement he gave over many years. Bob is survived by his wife Celia (also FRPharmS), his daughters Helen and Mary, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Funeral details: 10 November 2026, Gedling Crematorium, Lambley, Nottingham, at 1.30 pm.
Ron Pate MBE, FRCPharm, past president of the Guild of Hospital Pharmacists
John Gilby FRCPharm, past president of the Guild of Hospital Pharmacists
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Sarah Cockbill (1947–2026)
Philip Leon Marshall Davies (1938–2026)
I was saddened to learn of the death of Bob Timson. We had known each other since 1973 when I was in Leicester and a member of the East Midlands Branch of the Guild of Hospital Pharmacists. With Bobs encouragement I became the Branch Secretary and later on Chairman and District Member on the national council. To us young aspiring hospital pharmacists Bob was very much a role model for us and many of us went to senior pharmacy management positions through the regional training and development programs.
In later life John( my partner) and I became close friends of Bob and Celia due in part to living near each other in West Sussex. When I was suddenly widowed some years later Bob and Celia provided much needed support. Now it’s my turn to do the same.
In Bobs passing pharmacy has lost one of its more remarkable practitioners and I, a unique link in my professional and personal life.
Mike Beaman FRCPharm