Former Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) chief executive Harry McQuillan has taken up the position of chair at Numark.

Phoenix UK, Numark’s parent company, said Mr McQuillan’s role would be to ‘help ensure policy makers across the UK understand fully the potential of community pharmacy’, as well as being ‘front and central’ in representing the interests of Numark members.

Commenting on the appointment, Steve Anderson, group managing director of Phoenix UK, said: ‘Harry brings to our Numark partnership an outstanding wealth of experience and understanding of how community pharmacy can work successfully with government officials and politicians.

‘Harry was a key figure in developing the “pharmacy first” concept in Scotland from the outset – arguably the most advanced community pharmacy provision anywhere in Europe – and that experience will help us persuade governments in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to unlock the potential of community pharmacy,’ Mr Anderson added.

Mr McQuillan said the appointment would give him the opportunity to continue his work as ‘a passionate advocate for community pharmacy delivering better patient care’.

He added: ‘There are challenges ahead and I believe Numark is best placed to meet those in partnership with its members.’

Mr McQuillan stepped down as chief executive at CPS after more than 17 years in post. He is set to be replaced by Matt Barclay in February, who is currently the head of operations at CPS.

Phoenix UK’s other brands include Rowlands Pharmacy, Phoenix Healthcare Distribution, PSUK, Numark, Nupharm and NuCare.