After five years leading the Society, our CEO Rachel Lambert-Forsyth will be leaving the BPS. Rachel will be joining the Royal Society of Medicine as their incoming Chief Executive and is due to take up her new post in November 2025.
Rachel has overseen a period of considerable change and challenge, including the COVID-19 pandemic, delivery of the 19th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, and leading the Society from a position of financial deficit to growth.
Rachel said:
It has been a privilege to lead the BPS over the past five years. I have truly loved working alongside an exceptional team to deliver a broad suite of benefits to our members and am proud that in collaboration with our members we have launched a number of new initiatives, such as the Sir Colin Dollery training bursary, the award of Fellowship to Early Career members and most recently the launch of the Sir David Jack Scholarship. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together—strengthening scientific collaborations, raising the profile of pharmacology, and supporting the development of the next generation of researchers.
With my new role due to begin in November, I remain fully committed to facilitating a smooth and positive transition, and I look forward to supporting the Society’s future endeavours from a new vantage point.
Thank you to our members, partners, trustees and staff for your trust and collaboration. I look ahead with gratitude for our shared achievements and optimism for the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for this wonderful community.
Professor Sir Mark Caulfield, BPS President, said:
“On behalf of the Trustees and the entire Board, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Rachel Lambert‑Forsyth for her outstanding leadership as Chief Executive. Her achievements in guiding the Society through such challenging times – including navigating operational upheaval during the pandemic, delivering WCP2023 and addressing the financial deficit – are considerable.
Rachel leaves behind a stronger and more resilient Society, well-positioned for continued innovation and growth. We look forward to building on her legacy and exploring new opportunities under new leadership.”