New National Pharmacy Advisory Councils elect President for the Royal College of Pharmacy

Tase with a serious face, looking directly at the camera, in front of a plain cream background
(Source: Paul Stuart)

New National Pharmacy Advisory Councils elect President for the Royal College of Pharmacy

Ms Tase Oputu has been elected as the first President of the future Royal College of Pharmacy, with Council leadership also appointed across England, Scotland and Wales — marking a key milestone in establishing the College’s governance.

Published: 27 March 2026

This was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.


The Royal Pharmaceutical Society announced on 27 March 2026 that the newly established National Pharmacy Advisory Councils for England, Scotland and Wales, which will develop pharmacy policy and practice in their nation as part of the future Royal College of Pharmacy, have jointly elected Ms Tase Oputu as the College’s first President.

Tase was elected as a member of the RPS English Pharmacy Board in June 2021 and has served as Chair of the Board since June 2023. She is also a member of the RPS Assembly.

They have also elected from within their respective Councils a Vice President, who will serve as Chair of the Council, a Vice Chair and another member who sits on the Senate as follows:

President: Ms Tase Oputu

English Pharmacy Advisory Council

Vice President/Chair:               Mahendra Patel

Vice Chair:                                  Mildred Johnson

Senate:                                        Claire Anderson

Scottish Pharmacy Advisory Council

Vice President/Chair:               Catriona Sinclair

Vice Chair:                                  Josh Miller

Senate:                                        Laura Fulton

Welsh Pharmacy Advisory Council

Vice President/Chair:               Liz Hallett

Vice Chair:                                  Aled Roberts

Senate:                                        Eleri Schiavone

The President will lead the Senate, which will help determine the strategic direction of pharmacy professional leadership and advise the Trustee Board on professional matters.

The Vice Presidents and their Vice Chairs will sit as members of the College’s Senate.

The President and Vice Presidents will also be full voting members of the Board of Trustees, ensuring strong professional representation at the highest level of decision‑making.

Members of the three national Pharmacy Advisory Councils cast their votes through the online voting platform of independent scrutineers Mi-Voice.

RPS President Professor Claire Anderson said:

“I warmly welcome Tase as the first President of the Royal College of Pharmacy and wish her every success. Her election marks a key stage in the formation of the College’s governance and leadership structure as we work to establish the new royal college as a modern and unifying professional leadership body for pharmacy.”

Ms Tase Oputu, future President of the Royal College of Pharmacy said: 

“I’m delighted to have been elected as the first-ever President of the Royal College of Pharmacy. The creation of the College presents a unique chance to shape the future of pharmacy. 

“As President, I will focus on establishing the College as a confident voice, developing our five-year strategy, rebuilding engagement and championing inclusion.” 

Read the President’s election address.

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