Dave Phillips
Paul Bennett, chief executive of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), will step down from his role in April 2026, following the Society’s transition to a royal college.
A statement from the Society, released on 19 August 2025, said that Bennett will “continue to lead the organisation to ensure a successful transition to royal college, which is expected to be complete by mid-April 2026”.
Bennett, a qualified pharmacist, undertook the role in 2017, joining from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight local pharmaceutical committee, where he was chief officer.
Karen Baxter, currently deputy chief executive of the RPS, will become interim chief executive from April 2026.
In March 2025, RPS members voted in favour of proposals for the Society to become a royal college, with 71.1% of members who voted supporting the move.
As a result, the RPS will register as a charity and Pharmaceutical Press will become a wholly-owned subsidiary to continue its publishing activities.
In other changes to the leadership team, the Society has outlined plans to recruit for four roles: a chair of trustees for the new charity trustee board; director of finance and technology; director of pharmacy; and director of education.
“The new royal college executive team will include a new role of director of finance and technology, with specialist charity experience, while the publishing company leadership team will include financial expertise focused on commercial outcomes,” the statement said.
“In future, the organisation will no longer require the existing chief officer roles outside of that of a chief executive.”
Bennett commented: “The appointments will ensure the organisation has the right skills, capabilities and structure in place to ensure the Royal College of Pharmacy can flourish and deliver its future strategy.
“Our current leadership team have guided the organisation to this point, and established the strong and sustainable financial and technological foundations the new royal college and publishing subsidiary will build on,” he added.
“Now, at this pivotal moment it is important that we establish a future leadership team with charity and royal college experience that is the right one to take forward our ambitions.”
Baxter commented: “I am honoured to be appointed as interim chief executive of the new royal college and grateful for the confidence placed in me by Paul and our Assembly.
“I’m committed to building upon the positive momentum we’ve established, and look forward to working closely with Paul, the leadership team and our assembly and boards over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition and a strong, sustainable foundation for the Royal College of Pharmacy.”
Claire Anderson, president of the RPS, said: “Establishing the right leadership for the royal college of the future is vital as we navigate this complex transition, and I applaud the collaborative, strategic and planned approach of the current executive team under Paul’s leadership.
“I am confident these plans will ensure that both the royal college and publishing subsidiary will have the strong, effective leadership in place at transition that enable them to thrive.
“The new Royal College of Pharmacy will start out in April 2026 invested with the hopes of all in pharmacy and an ambitious new strategy to put into action. We must all stand ready to support the royal college as it sets out to deliver the strong and collaborative professional leadership body that pharmacy deserves.”
