After an extensive search and appointment process, The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is delighted to announce Avril Chester as its new Chief Technology Officer.
The use of technology by pharmacists and other healthcare professionals is now integral to the way we support patients and the public. RPS is in step with this change, last year we launched a new platform for the Pharmaceutical Journal and we plan to develop more digital products and services for our members and customers.
Alongside our role in professional leadership and education, technology features extensively throughout our organisational strategy as an enabler to ensure our products and services are optimally developed, delivered, and maintained.
Avril will be accountable for the development and implementation of the RPS technology and digital strategy.
In her new role, Avril will have responsibility for executive leadership of all the technology functions, including technical architecture, software development, operations and product delivery. Avril will report directly to the Chief Executive, Paul Bennett, and joins the Society’s Executive team in June.
Avril is currently Chief Technology Officer at the Royal Institute of British Architects. Alongside that, she is an award-winning technology entrepreneur, author, podcast host and founder of a cancer charity. She was also finalist for CTO of the Year at the Women in IT awards 2022.
Paul Bennett, CEO said: "I am delighted that Avril will be joining our Executive team and leading our technology function and our digital strategy. We have a strong technology team within RPS and Avril's appointment strengthens that further as she brings great energy, drive, experience and enthusiasm with her and my colleagues and I very much look forward to working closely with her as we further develop our technological capability"
Commenting on her appointment Avril said: “It is a real honour to support our incredible pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists and I am over the moon to have this opportunity to join the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Technology has and continues to impact our lives, especially in healthcare and medicine. The RPS already embraces the technology evolution and I look forward to continuing this great work and push even more digital boundaries to champion and support the profession”.
Avril joins the RPS in June.
Read more RPS news.