Ravi Sharma will leave the RPS this October to become head of pharmacy for Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, it was announced this afternoon (July 25).

He has been RPS director for England for almost four years and became an RPS fellow earlier this year.

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Recruitment for Mr Sharma’s successor, which he will assist with, will begin “soon”, the RPS said.

RPS CEO Paul Bennett said that Mr Sharma has made a “significant contribution” during his time with the professional body.

He praised Mr Sharma for having “developed stronger relationships and collaborative working” with key institutions including the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England.

“Delighted”

Luton and Dunstable University Hospital is part of the Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS foundation trust group.

The group’s chief pharmacist and clinical director for medicines optimisation, Pritesh Bodalia, said he was “delighted” to welcome Mr Sharma to his new role.

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“Ravi brings a wealth of experience with him to complement our pharmacy senior leadership team,” Dr Bodalia commented.

Meanwhile, Mr Sharma said it had been “an honour and a privilege” to lead the RPS team in England.

“I want to pay tribute to the dedication of my colleagues, who have been instrumental in supporting the profession through COVID-19, raising the profile of pharmacy with NHS leaders and politicians, and bringing our strategy on inclusion and diversity to life.”

In May, Mr Sharma provided evidence to the Health and Social Care Select Committee during a session on workforce recruitment, training, and retention in health and social care.