RPS Engagement and Regional Ambassadors

1. RPS Engagement

The aim of the professional engagement team is to increase the impact of RPS engagement within the profession, for both members and non-members to create a sense of professional belonging to the professional leadership body.

Meet the Engagement Team

Rachael BlackRachael Black, Pharmacy Engagement Manager

Contact Rachael for any enquiries regarding RPS Regions.

[email protected]

Asra AhmedAsra Ahmed, Pharmacy Professional Engagement Lead - England

Contact Asra with all your engagement enquiries in England.

[email protected]

Gareth HolyfieldGareth Holyfield, Pharmacy Professional Engagement Lead for Wales & the West of England

Contact Gareth with your engagement enquiries in Wales and the West of England.

[email protected]

Zahra Al-MomenZahra Al-Momen, Pharmacy Professional Engagement Lead for Scotland and the North of England

Contact Zahra with all your engagement enquiries for the North of England and Scotland.

[email protected]

2. What do RPS Regional Ambassadors do?

Here to help - our RPS Regional Ambassadors!

Sometimes, you don't need the entire RPS to help you out. Perhaps you need support on a regional issue, introduction to a nearby contact, to promote a local event - anything that doesn't necessarily involve all of GB pharmacy!

You can reach out to your Ambassador through the RPS to ask for advice, introductions, a helping hand, and more. As experienced pharmacy professionals, they're here to encourage discussions and local networking, and act as a bridge between RPS and our members. They have extensive local knowledge and networks - but they’re also volunteers, so there are limits to their powers!

Regional Ambassadors are here to help you and all the members of the profession in your region. Get to know them - and how they can represent - you, via the list of ambassadors below.

To contact your Ambassador, email [email protected]

Ambassador events in 2024

Each Ambassador will be hosting regular virtual and face-to-face events in your region throughout 2024.

What do you want to see at these events?

Tell us what you want to see at these regular events - complete this handy form

3. Which regions do the Ambassadors cover?

We've divided the UK into 15 separate regions, 10 of which already have their own Ambassador:

  1. England - East
  2. England - London
  3. England - East Midlands
  4. England - West Midlands
  5. England - North East & Yorkshire
  6. England - North West
  7. England - South East
  8. England - South West
  9. Jersey
  10. Scotland - East
  11. Scotland - North
  12. Scotland - West
  13. Wales - East
  14. Wales - North
  15. Wales - South West

RPS GB Regions map

Could YOU be an RPS Regional Ambassador?

We're still looking for experienced and reliable Ambassadors for two of our regions: North Scotland and North-West Wales.

If you'd like to volunteer to help out your fellow pharmacists in any of these regions, we'd love to hear from you now. Simply complete our Ambassador Application Form.

4. How can my Regional Ambassador help me?

What can your Ambassador do to help you?

You can tell them yourself! Complete this handy form

What can your Ambassador help with?

They can:

  • Encourage discussions and networking
  • Link you, our members, to us, the RPS!
  • Introduce you to other healthcare professionals
  • Liaise with professionals in other sectors
  • Help to address recurring local issues (e.g., drug shortages)
  • Share best practice
  • Develop events to boost your skills
  • Solve particular problems in your region.

RPS Professional Support

And don't forget, even if your Ambassador can't help, our Professional Support Team almost certainly can.

CONTACT RPS PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT

5. Who is my RPS Regional Ambassador?

England - East

COMING SOON

England - East Midlands

COMING SOON

England - North West

COMING SOON

England - South West

Joanne ClarkeJoanne Clarke
Jo is currently the Lead Pharmacist for Integrated Community Services and Palliative Care at Great Western Hospital in Swindon.

She has a diverse background covering most sectors of pharmacy, with a passion for education and development and medicines safety. She aims to use her role as Ambassador to bring members of the pharmacy community together to network and to share ideas and learning, across sectors and geographies.

Scotland - East

Giovanna DiTanoGiovanna DiTano
An active RPS member for many years, Giovanna is passionate about supporting the wellbeing of pharmacists and promoting mentoring within the profession.

She wishes to create events that showcase the different sectors of pharmacy and create strong cross sector networks within her Region.

Scotland - West

COMING SOON

Wales - East

Anya BowenAnya Bowen
Anya is currently working as a cluster pharmacist within Cwm Taf Morgannwg.

As Ambassador she will encourage discussions and local networking in order to strengthen relationships within the area, enhance individual growth and understand common concerns to become the bridge between the RPS and its members.

London

COMING SOON

England - West Midlands

Sarah BaigSarah Baig
Sarah is currently the Lead Pharmacist for Professional Development and Governance at Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, and also works as the Prescribing Lead at the University of Birmingham.

Sarah has a diverse background starting in secondary care, and a real passion for education, development and medicines safety. She aims to use her role as Ambassador to create a community of practice for all pharmacists and pharmacy students to enable them to experience a sense of allyship and belonging.

England - North East & Yorkshire

Amna Khan-PatelAmna Khan-Patel

Amna is currently one of the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Clinical Fellows working at NHS England. Having worked in secondary care for over 10 years, Amna is passionate about the pharmacy profession and the need for inclusivity.

Prior to her current role, she was the Education and Training Lead and has attained her independent prescribing qualification in renal medicine.

She is looking forward to connecting with pharmacy professionals across all sectors of practice to cultivate a network for peers to share learning, and ideas.

England - South East

COMING SOON

Jersey

Simon WallSimon Wall
Simon has been a community pharmacist in Jersey for the last 16 years.

Already a prominent figure within the pharmacy profession in Jersey, he brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to the role. Simon attends monthly meetings with fellow pharmacy representatives and these well-established relationships will be invaluable in his role as Ambassador.

Scotland - North

Vacancy - FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

Wales - North

Anna Croston, North Wales RPS AmbassadorAnna Croston
Anna is currently a Community Pharmacist based in North Wales. Anna is qualified as an Independent Prescriber.

Anna is passionate about lifestyle medicine and empowering patients to take control of their health and well-being. As an Ambassador, she wants to raise awareness of the benefits of being an RPS member and build a support network for all pharmacy professionals within the locality.

Wales - South West

Nerys Forster, Wales South-West RPS AmbassadorNerys Forster
Nerys has a diverse background, covering most sectors of pharmacy. Currently working for Health Education and Improvements Wales leading the development of the clinical undergraduate placements.

She is an Independent Prescriber and aims to utilise her practice and clinical experience to bring members of the community together, to network and form relationships across sectors to enrich and influence each other, and to share ideas and to promote learning opportunities to help deliver a healthier Wales.