The former Community Pharmacy Scotland chief executive Harry McQuillan has been appointed chairman of Numark.

McQuillan (pictured), who stepped down as CPS chief in September last year after 17 years at the helm, said Numark’s “innovative approach and reach across” small and large pharmacies and ability to deliver “better patient care” was a factor in his decision to join.

“There are challenges ahead and I believe Numark is best placed to meet those in partnership with its members,” he said.

As CPS chief executive, McQuillan played an integral role in helping persuade the Scottish government to support community pharmacy and vigorously championed pharmacists’ preventative healthcare roles as well as their ability to reduce the number of unnecessary medicines taken by patients. He was also instrumental in developing the Pharmacy First scheme in Scotland.

Numark said he “will help ensure policymakers across the UK understand fully the potential of community pharmacy and will be front and central of representing the interests” of its members.

Phoenix group managing director Steve Anderson said McQuillan will bring to Numark “an outstanding wealth of experience and understanding of how community pharmacy can work successfully with government officials and politicians.”

“Harry has first-hand experience of what it takes to develop and deliver a progressive pharmacy contract which benefits patients, the NHS, and our sector,” Anderson said, describing Pharmacy First in Scotland as “arguably the most advanced community pharmacy provision anywhere in Europe."

“That experience will help us persuade governments in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to unlock the potential of community pharmacy,” Anderson added. “He will be a key figure developing our Numark propositions going forward.”