About us

Paul Robinson | Consultant

I currently run my own management consultancy business specialising in Pharmacy and Healthcare which provides consultancy services to the BPA amongst a number of other pharmacy businesses and organisations. Prior to that I held senior management positions in Boots, so I have a deep understanding of the pharmacy business and its leadership.  Before my role in Boots I gained a wealth of experience in providing pharmacy leadership and direction in a range of pharmacy businesses ranging from small independent contractors to large multiples. I am also employed as chair of Humber Local Pharmaceutical Committee.

Khuram Ahmad | Chairman

I, like many, started working for Boots as a Saturday job, supporting both our healthcare and operations teams whilst studying pharmacy. Over the years I have held several roles in stores before moving to the support office where I am currently based.

I joined the BPA in September 2011 because I wanted to have an understanding support network that I could easily rely on if ever needed.

Sibby Buckle | Store Based Pharmacist

I have enjoyed a varied career in Boots from store management to working in support office functions of retail marketing, buying and healthcare marketing, pharmacy PR and Corporate Affairs. I then left Boots for a few years taking on external roles before returning in 2005 as a practicing community pharmacist. I am also a board member of the RPS and became Vice-Chair in June. I am passionate about pharmacy   and pharmacists, which led me to stand for election to the BPA last year, to represent Pharmacists like myself at the grass roots of the company.

Phillip Yelling | Store based pharmacist

 I have been a community pharmacist for over 40 years. Most of that time I worked in store and field management roles for Boots. I am now retired from management roles in Boots and am Chief Officer for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LPC. I still work as a pharmacist for Boots part time. I have been a past Chair of BPA and been on the executive for many years. My motivation is to improve the contribution that community pharmacists can make to the health of the nation and to develop the role of pharmacists within Boots and beyond.

Rhona Bennett | Treasurer BPA, Store pharmacist

I qualified as a pharmacist in 1992 and find myself enjoying a varied role involving the provision of services and good old-fashioned community pharmacy.  I joined the BPA when I joined Boots in 1996 and joined the Executive Team in 2004 where I took on the role of treasurer for the Association.  This is still part of my remit, but I am now also responsible for day to day administration. Being able to help our members when they encounter difficulties at work is one of the most rewarding parts of my role. Offering advice and reassurance whilst working together towards a resolution is always rewarding.

Dave Greer | Regional Pharmacy Experience Manager

I have been a member of BPA since 1977 and came on to the Executive of BPA in 2012. Externally I am the CCA representative on Greater Glasgow & Clyde Contractors Committee, and a Council member of Community Pharmacy Scotland. I am proud of what BPA has achieved over the years and I am personally proud of being able to use my experience to give support to members when in need.

Derek Payne

I qualified as a pharmacist with Boots in 1978 and was an early member of the Joint Boots Pharmacists Association. I left Boots after about 12 years to seek new experiences with a variety of independents and smaller multiples. This led to me re-joining Boots via the Alliance merger in 2008.
I have seen many changes to community pharmacy over the last 40 years – there were no computers and no patient packs when I qualified! Since the merger I have had a number of field roles and most recently several years in the Chief Pharmacist’s Office prior to my current role as part of the Pharmacy Support Group. I recently joined the BPA executive as I felt I had many years of experiences which would be valuable to share with our colleagues. As community pharmacy places ever increasing demands on pharmacists’ time it is vital that support is available for both professional and personal issues and I believe the BPA is a great source of such support.

Shazia Naji | Relief pharmacist

I first started with Boots as a pharmacy summer placement student when I was nineteen in Newcastle Upon Tyne where I was born. Thirty years later I'm still with the company currently working as a relief pharmacist providing services in London. A third of my career has involved holding store management roles. The support from the BPA was invaluable to me when I've encountered minor difficulties at work. I joined the BPA executive team in 2018 post derecognition to give back and to be involved in supporting pharmacists in times of trouble. I look forward to contributing to the success of the BPA in putting forward the pharmacist views to influence company policy regarding the future of pharmacy and the role of pharmacists.