The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer's Pharmacy leaders development programme is for experienced pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who aspire to lead large and complex NHS departments, services, teams or systems of care to benefit patients and local communities. It aims to develop knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours to help experienced pharmacy professionals become outstanding, compassionate and inclusive leaders, and improve the performance of the teams and the people who work with them to deliver improved outcomes for patients and the public.
This programme aims to create a cadre of senior pharmacy professionals ready for challenging senior leadership roles and to develop networks to sustain their professional leadership practice. A key objective is to make a positive contribution to improving the diversity of those in senior pharmacy professional leadership positions in the NHS.
It offers a comprehensive mix of residential workshops, optional online specialist study days, and small group support to build capability, confidence and networks across the wider system.
NHS England and CPPE held an information webinar to support applications to the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Pharmacy leaders development programme. Watch the webinar recording (Please note: the dates on the webinar refer to cohort 11 which is now closed). You can register for the next information webinar to support applications to Cohort 12 by clicking on the button below.
Register for the Cohort 12 application support webinar
The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer's pharmacy leaders development programme has been developed in conjunction with senior leaders from across the pharmacy profession as a self-directed programme, delivered using experiential and action learning.
At the first residential block, participants will be introduced to Boyatzis’s model of self-directed learning (Goleman, Boyatzis and McKee, 2002). Participants will be supported by their impact group and facilitator to determine their individual leadership development needs and to plan their further learning requirements.
Components of the programme include:
On completing all aspects of this programme, you will be able to:
The programme has two themes that run throughout: a focus on the ‘line of sight’ to the quality and experience of those who access health and care services; and a commitment to embed excellence in equality, diversity and inclusion within all aspects of leadership.
CPPE will deliver residential leadership training. This will include input from experienced senior leaders from across the NHS.
There are two residential blocks of training, nine months apart, both of which take place at the Warwick Conference Centre.
Cohort 12 dates:
In addition to the intensive residential blocks of training, there will be a series of optional online specialist workshops on offer annually. These will be open to those who have identified particular areas of development. Study day topics may include:
These workshops will be held on an annual basis according to need.
A key part of the programme will be to build and sustain networks in pharmacy and the wider NHS. This will be facilitated by the residential nature of the programme.
You may also choose to set up online learning sets to allow further networking and sharing of best practice in a specific region or specialty.
As the programme relies on your ability to apply your learning in the workplace, it is essential that you have the support of your line manager or a senior leader in your organisation who can commit the resources needed for you to complete the programme.
We recommend that you agree with your line manager or supporter how they will support you to protect the time you need to attend the mandatory residential workshops and implement your work-based leadership challenge or project. It is essential that your supporter can provide regular mentoring and is available for guidance and support.
There are 30 places available for each cohort. Applications for Cohort 12 are now open.
Before applying for the programme, please read the Applicant guide. This outlines how to apply for the programme, including requirements for your work-based leadership challenge/project and personal statement.
Register now for the NHS England and CPPE webinar to explain more about the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Pharmacy leaders development programme and the application process for Cohort 12 on Thursday 9th April 1 - 2pm. You can register here for this webinar.
If you are unable to attend, you can watch a recording of the previous webinar held on Thursday 18 December here. Please note, dates on the webinar refer to cohort 11 which is now closed. Cohort 12 is now open for applications.
The closing date for applications to join cohort 12 will be midday on Monday 20th April 2026. Late applications will not be considered. You will be notified of the outcome by 5pm on Thursday 23rd April 2026 and asked to respond to your offer by 5pm on Monday 27th April 2026.
