Executive teams
Meet the teams
The Publishing Executive are responsible for setting our publishing strategy in support of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s vision, to become the world leader in the safe and effective use of medicines. This skilled team is supported and advised by the Publishing Board, experienced executives and business leaders drawn from professional and academic publishing roles and pharmacy.
Publishing Executive
Karen Baxter
BSc, MSc, FRPharmS
MD Pharmaceutical Press | Deputy CEO Royal Pharmaceutical Society
My career as a pharmacist started in hospital and progressed into education and training. This inspired a passion for how good drug information sources can support practice. This, combined with a Clinical Pharmacy MSc encompassing drug interactions, made a role with Stockley’s Drug Interactions a natural next step.
What followed was a career in healthcare publishing, leading digital change programmes focussed on improving information delivery to those on the frontline. The combined influences of both parts of my career keep me committed to providing high quality information and guidance to support the safe, effective use of medicines.
Avril Chester
Chief Technology Officer
As someone who once wrote a dissertation asking when do we become cyborgs? exploring technology’s impact on humans, I have throughout my career loved engaging with, and delivering tech. I feel very blessed to have won a few technology awards, I happily host a podcast and have published a book called, ‘Tech Treats & treasures’, a collection of wisdom and stories from over 80 technology leaders. It’s a real privilege to join RPS as CTO, to support the safe, effective use of medicines with my passion.
Nic Potter
MA
Commercial Director
I have worked in professional services publishing for 22 years, and in sales for 25, In this time I have worked with content across all mediums, as well as software and services that promote content discovery. I am proud to be part of PhP, a leader in its field.
Tony Scully
Publisher, Pharmaceutical Journal
I joined The Pharmaceutical Journal in 2014 from the journal Nature to lead the digital-first transformation. Appointed Publisher in 2016, I am now responsible for the journals, magazine and academic books programmes at Pharmaceutical Press. I’m always looking to develop new, better ways of working that support the creation of quality content.
Kate Towers
BPharm (AU), GCClinPharm (AU)
Content Director
My clinical background is in hospital pharmacy practice — knowledge that I now use in a publishing environment. Most of my publishing career has focused on the BNF and BNF for Children, working with a passionate and knowledgeable team to transition to enhanced digital delivery of our content while continuing to provide authoritative and trusted guidance to support best clinical practice. I now use that experience to work across all Pharmaceutical Press publications.
Daniel Wright
LLB
Product Director
I’m passionate about delivering and maintaining products and services that users value in their daily workflow. I’ve worked in the professional information sector for over twenty years, the last twelve in product management, getting to understand a range of customers’ and users’ needs. At the RPS I head up the team that manage our award-winning products that provide high quality information and guidance to support the safe and effective use of medicine.
Publishing Board
Tom Moloney
Non-Executive Board Chair
I have enjoyed a varied and successful leadership career, largely in and around media and information businesses including Emap and Informa. I am now a specialist Leadership Impact Coach and Board advisor working with clients across a range of sectors such as healthcare, media, finance, and business assurance.
Paul Bennett
Chief Executive Royal Pharmaceutical Society
The majority of my career has been in large retail and community pharmacy organisations, including FTSE 100 businesses. Occupying roles such as Professional Standards Director and Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots UK, Chief Officer at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Local Pharmaceutical Committee Specialist Operations Controller at Safeway Stores Plc. Throughout my career I have been an active participant in pharmacy leadership bodies, including Chair of the RPS English Pharmacy Board, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association and Chair of Pharmacy Voice, an umbrella body that represented the professional trade bodies.
Karen Baxter
MD Pharmaceutical Press | Deputy CEO Royal Pharmaceutical Society
My career as a pharmacist started in hospital and progressed into education and training. This inspired a passion for how good drug information sources can support practice. This, combined with a Clinical Pharmacy MSc encompassing drug interactions, made a role with Stockley’s Drug Interactions a natural next step. What followed was a career in healthcare publishing, leading digital change programmes focussed on improving information delivery to those on the frontline.
Rick Russell
Chief Operating Officer Royal Pharmaceutical Society
With over 25 years working in professional publishing for organisations including LexisNexis, Thomson Reuters and Euromoney PLC among others, I work closely with my senior leadership team to optimise our processes and technology to transform organisational efficiency and effectiveness whilst maintaining a sharp eye on the bottom line of the business.
Claire Anderson
Non-Executive Board Member | RPS President
I am Professor of Social Pharmacy in the Division of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham. My research has led and informed the development of pharmacy and pharmacy education in the UK and globally – for example, in public health, influenza vaccination, prescribing and pharmacists in general practice. As an internationally renowned social pharmacy researcher I have shaped the future of global research in this area. I have also set the agenda in pharmacy education research and development through prestigious work with international Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) since 2002. I am a trustee of the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association.
Sharon Cooper
Non-Executive Board Member | Chief Digital Officer, The Economist Group
I am responsible for the Economist Intelligence divisions technology, product and data delivery functions, working both on how technology will enable the company to deliver their expertise and what opportunities technology will bring to the core business in the future. Previously I was the Chief Digital Officer at BMJ Publishing Group, where I led a significant transformation programme as well as managing Editorial, Product and the technology/IT function.
Caroline McNamara
Non-Executive Board Member | Chief Commercial Officer, CABI
I have many years working as both an Executive and Non-Executive Board Member in the academic/medical publishing, and healthcare sectors both nationally and internationally. My experience includes general management, international business development and driving strategic commercial direction to grow new business. I have a sharp understanding and appreciation of both the UK and International landscape for publishing, content provision, data licencing and protection.
Geraldine McCaffrey
Non-Executive Board Member | Chair Welsh Pharmacy Board and RPS Assembly Member
I am the Principal Pharmacist for Research and Development at Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board and Chair of the Welsh Pharmacy Board since 2023. My career has mostly been in Hospital Pharmacy in roles like clinical specialist and team leader. I became an independent prescriber in 2015. I am passionate about research, improvement, and innovation to improve pharmacy services and the expertise of pharmacy professionals. I am a member of the Board for Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales, which aims to transform pharmacy services in Wales. I am also involved in the Digital Medicines Transformation Portfolio and Pharmacogenomics Services for Wales.