The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) today, Monday 24 November, announces the appointment of Joe Irvin OBE as the inaugural Chair of the Board of Trustees of the future Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm). A respected voluntary sector leader, Mr Irvin will be instrumental in guiding the new royal college during its founding period.

Mr Irvin brings leadership experience across the voluntary sector and at the heart of government, including as Trustee and Chair of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO), and CEO roles at national charities including the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) and Living Streets. He was awarded an OBE for services to charities in 2020. 

Joe Irvin OBE commented:

“I’m delighted and honoured to become the Royal College of Pharmacy’s first Chair of Trustees, helping the new College deliver on its huge ambitions for the future and become the highly regarded royal college that pharmacy deserves.

“I look forward to working with the President, Senate, Trustee Board, CEO and wider RCPharm team to help lead and guide the College from its earliest days, towards its mission of placing pharmacy at the forefront of patient care.

“The RPS has a long and proud history of serving the pharmacy profession. Now we are embarking on an exciting new chapter.

“The Royal College of Pharmacy will help take pharmacy to a new level.  As Chair of Trustees, I will be proud to guide the College on that journey.”

RPS President Professor Claire Anderson, commented: 

“I am delighted that Joe Irvin will be the first Chair of Trustees for the new royal college, a pivotal and defining role that will help shape the future of pharmacy professional leadership, at a time of significant and continuing change.  I feel sure that his leadership will help enable the new royal college to successfully navigate the fast-changing pharmacy landscape and drive excellence in practice and professional standards, to the benefit of patients, members and the wider pharmacy community.”

Mr Irvin will take up his role as Chair of the Board of Trustees at the time of the launch of the new Royal College of Pharmacy charity, expected to be April 2026. Following his appointment Mr Irvin will act as a lay member of Assembly until the Board of Trustees is formed, enabling him to contribute to, and become familiar with, the work of RPS and the future royal college, its leadership and governance; and be able to transition smoothly to his role as the Chair of Trustees of the new royal college from the start.

RPS CEO Paul Bennett, commented:

“As our new Chair of Trustees, Joe brings impressive strategic leadership experience and a commitment to inclusion that strongly aligns with that of the RPS and the future royal college. His leadership will play a vital role in the success of the new royal college as it navigates the complex change ahead and seeks to build a strong, unified and influential voice for pharmacy. The Chair of Trustees, working collaboratively with the President and members of the Senate, will help forge the best possible future for the College, members, pharmacy and patients.”

More information about the RPS’s journey to becoming a royal college.

Read more RPS news stories.