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The General Pharmaceutical Council has appointed a police regulator and former nurse as its new chief executive and registrar.

Kathie Cashell (pictured), who will take the helm at the regulator next March, joins from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) where she is deputy director general. 

The GPhC said Ms Cashell “has been responsible for increasing awareness and effectiveness of the complaints and conduct system across England and Wales and driving evidence-based changes to police training, policy and practice”.

Prior to working at the IOPC, she worked as a nurse and then at the Healthcare Commission where she helped overhaul how NHS complaints are handled.

Interim chief executive Chris Askew will remain in place until Ms Cashell takes her position on March 2, 2026. Long-standing chief executive Duncan Rudkin will depart at the end of this year.

Ms Cashell said: “It is an honour to be appointed as the GPhC’s Chief Executive and Registrar at what is a pivotal time for the pharmacy sector. I am passionate about ensuring public trust in regulated professions and supporting professionals to deliver safe, effective and inclusive services. 

“Throughout my career I have been focused on improving outcomes for service users and I look forward to leading the GPhC to achieve its vision of safe and effective care at the heart of healthier communities, by empowering pharmacists and protecting the public through its vital work. 

“I look forward to working closely with the GPhC Council, staff, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and owners, and other stakeholders to tackle the challenges facing the sector and ensure we also maximise the opportunities to work together to improve pharmacy care for everyone”.

GPhC chair Gisela Abbam commented: “I am delighted to welcome Kathie as the GPhC’s new Chief Executive and Registrar. Kathie will join the GPhC at a pivotal time, as we take forward the delivery of our new strategic plan 2025-30. Kathie’s leadership will be instrumental in achieving our strategic aims of empowering pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to provide trusted, safe and effective pharmacy care, protecting patients and the public by working collaboratively with healthcare regulators and other stakeholders, and building a skilled, agile and inclusive organisation.

“Kathie brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience in regulation, governance and public protection, which will be invaluable at a time when there are significant opportunities but also significant challenges facing the pharmacy sector. The Council and I look forward to working closely together to achieve our ambitions and to shape a future where pharmacy services continue to inspire confidence, protect the public, and advance healthcare for all.”