The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has appointed former British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association president James Davies as its new director for England.

Mr Davies (pictured) takes over from Ravi Sharma, who stepped down from the role after nearly four years to take up the post of head of pharmacy for Luton and Dunstable University Hospital this month.

Mr Davies takes up the reins in January and will oversee the development of the professional leadership body’s national policy, professional advocacy and member engagement alongside the English Pharmacy Board.

“I’m excited about delivering the current RPS strategy to ensure that pharmacy is, and continues to be, at the forefront of healthcare. I’m eager to work as part of the team and with the board, leading and developing opportunities for the profession that improve the lives of patients and the public,” Mr Davies said.

He was policy and planning manager at the Company Chemists’ Association between October 2013 and November 2014 and co-founded ZAVA, an online doctor service that provides patients with online consultations and prescriptions. He is currently the company’s chief operating officer.

He also worked as a research assistant at the UCL School of Pharmacy before completing his PhD on the future function of community pharmacy and was part of a national team that evaluated the new medicines service.

“I’ve always been passionate about the pharmacy profession, from my student days as the BPSA President, through to my academic work that’s driven forward pharmacy practice and more recently delivering innovative digital solutions in healthcare,” Mr Davies said.

“I am looking forward to working with members to continue to deliver an exciting future for pharmacy.”