Royal College of Pharmacy / Emily Kennedy
Emily Kennedy has been announced as the Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm)’s head of professional standards, guidance and patient safety.
Kennedy — clinical pharmacist for climate emergency and sustainability at the Scottish government, and lead pharmacist for respiratory and sustainability at NHS Dumfries and Galloway — will take up her role on 29 June 2026.
She is a credentialled consultant pharmacist in general practice and was appointed as a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) in 2024.
In a press release published on 22 April 2026, the College said: “Emily will lead the development of the RCPharm’s professional standards and guidance, supporting pharmacists and pharmacy teams to deliver safe, high-quality care, and drive the organisation’s work to improve patient safety across Great Britain.”
Kennedy commented: “This is such an exciting time to be joining the Royal College of Pharmacy. I am proud and honoured to take on this role and I look forward to working with colleagues, members and partners to support the development of professional standards and guidance that reflect modern pharmacy practice and continue to safeguard patients through the safe and effective use of medicines.”
Karen Baxter, interim chief executive of the RCPharm, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Emily as our new head of professional standards, guidance and patient safety. She brings a wealth of experience across clinical practice and national policy, alongside a strong commitment to patient safety and professional standards.
“Emily will play a central role in building on the organisation’s valued standards and guidance that support pharmacists and pharmacy teams to deliver safe, effective care for patients.
“Building on the organisation’s valued standards and guidance, Emily will play a central role in enhancing this work to further support pharmacists and pharmacy teams to deliver safe, effective patient care,” Baxter added.
The College has also announced that Jacob Lant, Katie Mantell and John Turner have been appointed to join its trustee board.
Lant is the chief executive of charity National Voices; Mantell is the chief executive of RCVS Knowledge (the charity partner of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons), and Turner is a chartered accountant and former investment banker.
Claire Anderson, member of the English Pharmacy Advisory Council and former president of the RPS, has been elected from the College’s senate.
Other trustees are Joe Irwin, who chairs the board of trustees; Tase Oputu, president of the college; Mahendra Patel, chair of the English Pharmacy Advisory Council; Liz Hallett, chair of the Welsh Pharmacy Advisory Council and Catriona Sinclair, chair of the Scottish Pharmacy Advisory Council.
