22 October 2010

Michael Holden new Chief Executive of NPA

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has announced that Michael Holden is to be its Chief Executive.  

A qualified pharmacist, Holden has worked in the field of community pharmacy for 30 years and is currently the Chief Officer of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Pharmaceutical Committee, responsible for more than 340 community pharmacies and their interface with the NHS and other commissioners.  He has been heavily involved in the Healthy Living Pharmacy initiative in the region.

Holden already sits on a number of strategic advisory boards and national committees including the National Public Health Leadership Forum for Pharmacy. He has extensive experience of multiple group management and independent pharmacy ownership, and has been involved in the design and successful implementation of community pharmacy services.

Ian Facer, Chairman of the NPA welcomed Michael’s appointment, saying, "Michael has a clear vision of how community pharmacy can achieve its potential and a strong track record in driving positive change to deliver benefits to patients and to pharmacies.  His wealth of highly relevant experience and his clear commitment to helping the sector move forward places him in a great position to lead the NPA. We are delighted to have appointed Michael as Chief Executive."

Michael Holden said, "There could not be a more critical time to be Chief Executive of the NPA, leading community pharmacy through the transformational change that will undoubtedly take place in the NHS over the next few years.  I am looking forward to joining the team and ensuring that the NPA delivers an increasingly high quality service in representing, supporting and protecting its members."

Holden will take up his post in 2011.