The Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMp) has appointed David Vanns as its new non-executive chairman. Mr Vanns takes over next month from long serving chair Peter Cattee (pictured).

Mr Cattee, one of the co-founders of AIMp, took up the role of chair in 2008. He was recently re-elected as a non-CCA representative on PSNC and will remain on the AIMp board.

“It has been my great good fortune to work with almost all of the owners of pharmacy groups throughout England, Scotland and Wales over the years and many other talented people throughout the sector,” he said.

“It has been a period of increasing consolidation, something which our own business has reflected, and the original founders and board members Yakub Patel, Kirit Patel, Steve Williams and David Vanns have all been instrumental in shaping pharmacy negotiations to better reflect the views of our natural constituency – pharmacy group owners.”

A spokesperson for AIMp thanked Mr Cattee for his services and dedication to the organisation.

Mr Vanns, another of the co-founders of AIMp, added: “The principles behind AIMp were and remain to represent and stand up for family owned national and regional independents. These families are the absolute bedrock of community pharmacy. They risk their own money, often through generations, developing innovative pharmacies, deeply connected with their local communities.

“Failure by the current Government and NHS management to understand our integral role in national healthcare has never been so evident and AIMp is even more needed now than it was in 2002.”

AIMp currently represents independent pharmacy groups with three or more branches. Independent pharmacies with fewer than three branches can choose to be an associate member of the organisation.