Numark yesterday (January 16) revealed that Harry McQuillan has joined the pharmacy membership organisation as its chair and will take on the role of “representing the interests of Numark members”.

Mr McQuillan was chief executive of Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) for more than 17 years but the negotiator announced in September that he would be handing over the reins to Matt Barclay at the start of 2024.

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Steve Anderson, group managing director of Numark parent company Phoenix UK, said that Mr McQuillan brings “an outstanding wealth of experience” and noted his successes delivering “a progressive pharmacy contract” in Scotland.

Mr Anderson praised Mr McQuillan’s role in the development of Scotland’s Pharmacy First service, which he said placed the country’s sector as “the most advanced community pharmacy provision in Europe”.

Read more: Jeremy Meader steps down as Numark director after five years

The new chair will help to “persuade” governments in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to “unlock the potential of community pharmacy”, Mr Anderson added.

Phoenix – which also owns multiple Rowlands - announced that Numark managing director Jeremy Meader was stepping away from his role after five years in February last year.

“Passionate advocate”

Mr McQuillan said that he has been a “passionate advocate” for community pharmacy to provide better patient care throughout his career.

He added that Numark’s “innovative approach and reach across independents, multiples and Rowlands provides a unique opportunity to achieve this across the UK”.

Read more: Rowlands and Numark roll out rapid self-diagnostic tests across 5,500 pharmacies

In November, C+D revealed that Rowlands had posted a 500% increase in losses for the financial year ending January 31 2023, according to its latest financial statements.

And in May, C+D reported that Rowlands had purchased a huge tranche of 30 Lloydspharmacy branches in Scotland.