Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA) chair David Vanns has “stepped down” from the role, the membership body yesterday (November 10) announced.
It said that chief executive Dr Leyla Hannbeck will step into the role of executive chair following Vanns’ departure “after two and a half years of dedicated service”.
Her appointment will provide “continuity of leadership and strategic oversight as the organisation continues to deliver for its members”, it added.
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Hannbeck confirmed to C+D that she will remain chief executive of the IPA while taking up the additional role of executive chair.
The organisation also announced that it has appointed Dev Shah as non-executive chair to “further strengthen governance and independent oversight”.
“As a longstanding member of the IPA and an experienced non-executive chair, Shah brings a wealth of experience to the role and will support the board in ensuring strong governance and accountability as [it] continues to advocate for the future of independent pharmacy,” it added.
“The time is right”
In a resignation statement shared with C+D - written to the IPA board after the body was given appointment rights to Community Pharmacy England’s (CPE) committee for the first time in September - Vanns said that “the time is right” for him to step down as chair.
“Change in representation brings fresh energy, new ideas and serves as a safeguard against inefficiency and stagnation,” he added.
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He said that he has “every confidence that [the] new chair, working alongside [the] CEO, will carry forward the mission of the IPA with strength, clarity and vision”.
Vanns added that he hopes his “decision to step aside” will “[encourage] others, particularly those within CPE who have clung to their roles for many years, to reflect on the importance and value of renewed leadership”.
“A crucial time”
Hannbeck said that she is “grateful” that the IPA board has “chosen to put their confidence” in her.
“I will continue to work hard for members and drive forward the organisation’s strategy and strengthen its ability to represent members effectively and with agility at a crucial time for the sector,” she added.
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Shah said that he looks forward to “supporting the organisation’s mission to lead, advocate and deliver positive change at every level of healthcare policy and innovation”.
“I am committed to guiding our organisation in representing its members effectively, advocating for the profession and driving excellence across the sector and, importantly, for our members and the patients we serve,” he added.
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It comes after an IPA board member last month suggested that the sector is not ready for the “independent prescribing (IP) revolution”.
Ian Strachan told delegates at the Pharmacy Show in Birmingham that he is “not getting carried away with IP”.
When asked by new CPE director of research and insights Dr James Davies whether “we are ready for [the] IP revolution” with pharmacists taking workload out of general practice and hospitals, Strachan shook his head and said “no”.
