Speakers
Shweta Aggarwal
Speaker and
Anti-Colourism Activist
Shweta Aggarwal is an author, speaker, and passionate anti-colourism activist dedicated to dismantling colourism and empowering individuals of colour to celebrate their melanin. Her powerful memoir, The Black Rose - My Story of Colourism Silently Lived by Millions, resonates globally, healing victims of colourism and educating those who perpetuate it. Shweta’s impactful work has been recognised in major publications, including Psychology Today, She The People TV, and Brown Girl Magazine. She has addressed diverse audiences at prestigious events such as Capital Group for International Women’s Day, Henrietta Barnett School for World Book Day, and New York University, delivering insightful talks that spark important conversations. Her voice has reached multiple BBC radio channels, amplifying her message. Through her advocacy, Shweta has become a prominent figure in the UK, inspiring change and promoting understanding around the critical issue of colourism.
Aileen Begley
Pharmacy Technician
Specialist, Public Health, Gartnavel Royal Hospital
Aileen Begley is a specialist pharmacy technician on the public health team at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC). She uses her expert knowledge and experience to support strategic planning for mass vaccination clinics and contribute to health board priorities to address health inequalities. Before her current role, Aileen held several operational management and clinical pharmacy roles in acute hospitals. Aileen is an experienced researcher. She contributes to the NHSGGC pharmacy research network, collaborates with local pharmacy technicians and pharmacists to support their research, and participates in UK pharmacy research working groups.
Jason Louis John
Benning
Professional Lead
Pharmacy Technician, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Jason began his journey over 16 years ago an assistant in pharmacy stores. Since then he has progressed into specialist clinical roles; providing medicines optimisation services within a diabetes outpatient setting, and then developing a Liver and transplant medicine service within a large teaching hospital.
At present Jason is the Professional Lead Pharmacy Technician for CNWL NHS where he is the education programme director all pharmacy technicians and support staff, has oversight of the pharmacy audit & governance structure, is a senior management workforce lead and a Health and Wellbeing champion.
At present Jason is the Professional Lead Pharmacy Technician for CNWL NHS where he is the education programme director all pharmacy technicians and support staff, has oversight of the pharmacy audit & governance structure, is a senior management workforce lead and a Health and Wellbeing champion.
Melanie Boughen
Associate Professor
and Director of Pharmacy Technician Education and Doctoral Researcher,
University of East Anglia
Melanie joined UEA in 2015 following six years as the NHS regional co-ordinator for pharmacy technician education and training in the East of England. She holds the post of Associate Professor and Director of Pharmacy Technician Education.
Qualifying in community pharmacy, Melanie transferred to the West Suffolk Hospital and in 2001 took up the position of Principal Pharmacy Technician for Education and Training where she was prominent in promoting and developing pharmacy education for other healthcare professionals. During this time she also worked with a Further Education College as a lecturer and internal quality assurer for Level 2 and Level 3 pharmacy education.
In 2016 Melanie was awarded the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK ‘Pharmacy Technician of the Year Award for Leadership’ and 2017 obtained her MA in Healthcare Education. She is currently studying for a Doctorate in Education and has two publications to date.
In 2020, the primary course she leads with her team broke pharmacy technician education boundaries as the first pre-registration pharmacy technician course to be taught in Higher Education at Level 4. In 2022, the team received national recognition being awarded the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK 'Excellence in Pharmacy Education Award'. Melanie is a Fellow of APTUK.
Kate Cannon
Deputy Lead for
Work-Based Learning, School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University
of East Anglia
Kate trained as a pharmacy technician in 2005 within in hospital pharmacy and stayed within this sector. Always having a passion for education and training Kate joined the UEA as a teacher practitioner in 2017 to co-manage the continuing professional development (CPD) courses for registered pharmacy technicians. In 2022 Kate left full time practice to join the UEA team as the deputy lead of work-based learning for the Pre-registration pharmacy technicians (PTPT), and continues to practice in the local hospital as a bank pharmacy technician. In 2019 Kate added to her work profile to become a part time revalidation portfolio reviewer for the General Pharmaceutical Council and provides feedback for pharmacy technicians completing their professional revalidation.
Mary J Carter
Lead Pharmacy Training Programme Director, Pharmacy Workforce Development South
Mary is a pharmacy technician and lead training programme director at Pharmacy Workforce Development South, as well as the PWDS Homecare Training Programme Lead. She is passionate about professional leadership and championing the vital role that pharmacy teams, particularly pharmacy technicians, play in delivering high-quality patient care across all sectors of pharmacy practice. Mary is committed to workforce development through collaboration, relationship building, and supporting the navigation of system-wide challenges to strengthen the pharmacy workforce.
Rebecca Chamberlain
PhD Research Student, Cardiff Metropolitan University and Specialist Pharmacy Technician, Education and Regulation
Rebecca is a first-year doctoral researcher based at Cardiff Metropolitan University in Wales, and a pharmacy technician who specialises in education and regulation. Rebecca holds a portfolio of advisory, leadership and teaching roles with the General Pharmaceutical Council, the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board and ProPharmace. Rebecca’s research interests include the education and workforce development of pharmacy technicians. In 2020 she published an article and book chapter titled, ‘Pharmacy Technicians’ Roles and Responsibilities in the Community Pharmacy Sector: A Welsh Perspective’. Rebecca is a member of FIP’s Pharmacy Technician Advisory and Symposium Committee and a reviewer for the International Journal of Pharmacy Practice. Rebecca recently joined Pharmacy Research Wales, a multi-stakeholder collaboration, established to develop a research strategy for Wales.
Claire Dearden
Medicines Optimisation Governance and Service Improvement Lead, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board
Claire was the first ever NHS England Chief Pharmaceutical Officer and NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service National Pharmacy Technician Fellow in 2024/25. She has extensive knowledge and experience of working as a Pharmacy Technician across different healthcare sectors.
During her fellowship, Claire promoted the role that Pharmacy Technicians can play in delivering healthcare services as part of the multi-professional NHS Team. Claire worked with professional colleagues to build on existing networks to ensure opportunities are maximised for both professions.
Claire’s current role is with Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board as Governance and Service Improvement Lead. Claire brings strategic medicines optimisation and operational pharmacy leadership across the Integrated Care System to deliver patient care.
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Manager, NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit
With a rich 30yrs in the NHS, Jamila started off as a registered Pharmacy Technician with a wealth of experience having worked through Community, Secondary Care and Primary Care pharmacy team settings. Jamila has led the Forum for Race Equity and Equality at her previous ICB and is now working as Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Manager for AGEM CSU, combining professional excellence with a deep commitment to her humanity, championing a culture of respect and dignity in the ICBs that she supports. As a committee member of the APNA NHS Midlands group Jamila inspires building connections across health and care colleagues.
In her current role, Jamila delivers training and strategic support to healthcare colleagues to ensure that due regard to equality, health inequality and inclusion runs through every policy, service and project as part of business as usual, driving inclusive and equitable access to our services for all of our patients.
Outside of her professional role, she is a compassionate pillar of support to colleagues, creating a safe space in times of need. Jamila is a testament to the transformative impact of dedication, experience, and empathy in healthcare and in her home life as a foster carer.
Lead Training Programme Director – GPPT, Pharmacy Workforce Development South (PWDS)
Senior Professional Advisor Pharmacy Technician Practice, Office of the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, NHS England
Senior Pharmacy Technician, Primary Care Education, CPPE
Bianca is a senior pharmacy technician for primary care pathways at the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE). CPPE is committed to offering pharmacy professionals continuing professional development opportunities through creative and innovative learning programmes. Bianca joined CPPE as a local tutor in 2012. Then in 2017, she moved into the primary care pathways team being involved in the development and delivery of the Medicines optimisation in care homes pathway, primary care pathway (PCPEP) and more recently leading on the community pharmacy technician advancing your role programme.
PhD Researcher University of Huddersfield and Independent Consultant
Through her work with the NHS Alison has led on many high-profile national projects relating to community pharmacy; the most notable one being the introduction of the Community Pharmacy Seasonal Flu Vaccination Service.
Previous roles include but are not limited to:
- Head of Services for a Local Pharmaceutical Committee
- National Head of Primary Care Policy (Pharmaceutical Services)
- Primary Care Contracting (Pharmacy and Optometry)
- Pharmacy Workforce Development
- Prescribing Support Technician
- Hospital pharmacy both within the NHS and the private sector.
Alison is currently a full-time PhD student researching the Public Health Roles of the Community Pharmacy Workforce in England and France at the University of Huddersfield. Her research is being partially funded by a University Research Fund grant from the University of Huddersfield to the UNESCO Chair for Global Health and Education. Her research sits under their flagship programme ‘Extending Health Promotion Practices in Community Healthcare Settings’.
Alison is an Honorary Visiting Senior Fellow in Pharmacy Policy at the University of Bradford. This involves her providing lectures to undergraduate and post graduate pharmacists and serving as a member of the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences External Advisory Board.
In addition to professional qualifications Alison has a MSc in Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care from the University of Leeds and a Foundation Degree in Pharmacy Services and Medicines Management from the University of Huddersfield.
Alison has been a finalist in both the Women in the City Future Leaders Award and similarly the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK) Leadership Award.
Alison is a Fellow of APTUK.
Alison is the founder and Chair of Pharmacy Technicians International.
Lead Pharmacy ATO Dispensary Manager, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
Sam started work at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in 2009 as a Band 2 rotational ATO and after some years Sam realised that he was at the point that he could begin to make a real difference in department and on the wards on how the service could be improved.
In 2020 Sam took on the role of Stock Distribution (Pre-pack supervisor) where he homed in on his medicines management and people managing skills, during which time he attended countless management and coaching courses to improve his skills. Sam managed to create a smooth sailing, tight working ship, that adopted his ideas which overall resulted in a self-efficient team that continue to work in the same way today without him. Sam recently got recognised for all his hard work and is currently enjoying his new challenge in the role as Dispensary Manager.
Senior Educator, Pharmacy Technician & Pharmacy Support Staff Team, NHS Education for Scotland
Monica Hunter is a pharmacy technician with 40 years of experience, including 18 years in hospital and aseptic services and 22 years in education and training in both area-wide and national roles. She holds a Master's Degree in Professional Development, her dissertation focussed on workplace learning for pharmacy technicians. Currently, she is a Senior Educator with NHS Education for Scotland, providing strategic leadership for education and training initiatives for pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support staff. Monica chairs the Pharmacy Technician Education and Training Strategic Group in Scotland and has published three articles on pharmacy technician practices and qualifications.
London Pharmacy Aseptics Workforce Transformation Project Lead, The Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Sheetal Jogia has been a dedicated Pharmacy Technician for over 30 years, with more than 20 years of experience in Education and Training. She currently serves as the London Pharmacy Aseptic Services Workforce Transformation Project Lead, collaborating with key stakeholders across London to address challenges in recruitment, retention, and training within Pharmacy Technical Services, and to support the "London Hub and Spoke" model.
Previously, Sheetal held the position of Head of Education and Training, Pharmacy Technical Services at Bart’s Health NHS Trust, where she managed the education and training needs of staff within a licensed unit. She also served as the Educational Programme Director for Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians and support staff at King’s College Hospital NHS Trust.
In addition to these roles, Sheetal is a team member of the General Pharmaceutical Council’s Accreditation and Recognition panel and a member of the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK Education Committee. She actively participates in the London Equality, Diversity and Inclusion group and has recently been appointed to the London Pharmacy Technician Advisory Board.
Sheetal remains committed to her goal of working nationally to ensure that the pharmacy workforce possesses the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours to deliver safe pharmacy services.
Pharmacy Technician - Team Leader (Primary Care), Prescribing Support Team/Medication Compliance Service, Renfrew Health & Social Work Centre
Contractor Services (Engagement) Pharmacy Technician, Community Pharmacy Wales
Poonam Kerai is a Contractor Services (Engagement) Pharmacy Technician at Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW). She supports Pre-Registration and Registered Pharmacy Technicians across Wales and also works as an Accuracy Pharmacy Checking Technician in a Community Pharmacy. With over a decade of experience, Poonam provides safe and effective care, helping patients maximize their medications, and supporting staff. Her role at CPW involves helping Pharmacy Technicians with their specific roles and the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF). Pharmacy Technicians in Wales play a crucial role in delivering essential services to the community, ensuring the highest standards of care. Poonam is committed to continuous professional development.
Vice President, Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK
Amy has worked within APTUK since 2018 where she has held roles including National Officer - Foundation Frameworks and Director of Education.
Amy has worked in Pharmacy since 2005 in a variety of sectors, all of which led her to academia and her passion for developing and implementing pharmacy courses to support an inclusive and diverse workforce that aims to ensure the safety of medicines for patients and our society.
Having moved into an academic role in 2013, Amy now works at West Suffolk College, part of the Eastern Education group. Since 2019 Amy has led on the implementation of Science Manufacturing Technicians and Science Manufacturing Process operatives within technical services.
Former CEO, ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity
Dr Tony Lloyd has been a pioneering advocate for neurodiverse paradigm in health, education and business in the UK for over 20 years, as the CEO of the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity, - the largest user led ADHD Neurodiversity specialist agency in Europe. Dr Lloyd has contributed to several national reports and academic papers, including the new national service delivery model for ADHD in the NHS and the National Experts Consensus Statement on NHS failings in health care for ADHD’ in the journal. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2022. Dr Lloyd is the recipient several national awards including National Diversity Lifetime Achievement Award, the UK top 100 LGBTQ leaders, & National Leaders Award for Education & most recently The UK Top 50 Inclusive Leaders. Dr Lloyd is a psychologist with a Doctorate in ADHD. He has co-authored several national reports on Neurodiversity and ADHD and is regular writer for mainstream and all sectors of the media. Dr Lloyd, is based in Liverpool and lives with his husband Colin, to whom he has been married for 28 years.
Specialist Pharmacy Technician - Clinical Services, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
A very inquisitive Emma started off her Pharmacy journey at 15 as a Saturday girl in an independent pharmacy. A-levels enabled her a place on the pharmacy degree at University of Bradford. Unfortunately, 4 years in, ill health would alter the path of this journey. So she spent the next 9 years developing herself from student to Clinical technician with ACT qualification at the Christie Hospital. After 2 years developing an integrated care team at Bolton Hospital, she joined the clinical informatics team at ELHT in 2015, then moved to a ward technician role. Finally, with the shared vision from the chief technician at ELHT, she took on the role of developing the Clinical Pharmacy technician team.
Advanced Clinical Cancer Pharmacy Technician & Cancer Pharmacy Manager, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Chandra worked in the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for over 15 years in the Cancer Pharmacy Team. When she started, she was the only full-time technician in a group of 3. Now there are a team of almost 20.
Chandra has had the pleasure of being heavily involved in the recruitment & development of Technician roles as well as leading on a new Pharmacy service to the Cancer patients having Chemotherapy and the expansion of a new pharmacy premises.
She is passionate about the learning, growth and development of Pharmacy Technicians and ultimately creating a happier and healthier workplace for all.
Chandra initially attended Kingsway Princeton College in London to train as a Pharmacy Technician.
She is an advocate for the future growth and development of all Pharmacy Technicians and as such Chandra is a member of a few organisations that are all raising the profile and investing in the development of Pharmacy Technicians.
Naomi Melville
Education Supervisor, CPPE
Naomi is a highly experienced Pharmacy Technician with over 20 years in the field. She began her career in community pharmacy as a medicines counter assistant and progressed to the role of store manager. After a brief period working in banking, she returned to pharmacy and took on the role of Surgical Satellite Lead at Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham. For the past six years, she has served as an Education Supervisor for the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE), where she supports pharmacy professionals in primary care through the Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway. In addition, she works as an independent end-point assessor for Pearson, assessing candidates for the Level 2 Pharmacy Services Assistant and Level 3 Pharmacy Technician qualifications.
Duncan Rudkin
Chief Executive & Registrar, General Pharmaceutical Council
Duncan Rudkin was appointed by the Privy Council as the founding chief executive and registrar of the GPhC and has been with the organisation since its inception in 2010. Prior to that Duncan had worked in General Dental Council for a number of years, including a period as chief executive there. His original professional background was as a commercial solicitor.
Sarah Sharman
Pharmacy Clinical Educator, University of Sheffield, NIHR INSIGHT Student, University of Nottingham
Sarah is a Pharmacy Technician who has worked in a variety of sectors, including community and secondary, and currently works as a Clinical Educator for the University of Sheffield. She is also co-lead of the Pride Branch of APTUK. Last year Sarah embarked on an NIHR funded MA in Research Methodology for Health for NIHR at the University of Nottingham. Her research areas of interest are improving inequalities faced by the LGBTQ+ community within pharmacy practice and workforce education, as well as upholding a strong ethos for equality, diversity and inclusion.
Dr Emily Smith
Pharmacy Research Fellow, University Hospital Southampton (UHS) Foundation Trust
Emily Smith is a research fellow in pharmacy at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) Foundation Trust. She has a background psychology and a PhD in medical sociology, specifically utilising qualitative methodology. At UHS she has worked on implementation evaluations looking at the impact of new technological systems on errors, workflow and staff experiences. Her current focus is on the views and experiences of pharmacy stakeholders and professionals (technicians and pharmacists) relating to variations in final accuracy training checking requirements and the impact these have on feelings of competence and confidence in themselves and others.
Abigail Stirling
Senior GP Pharmacy Technician Sunlight Group Practice, Chair Pharmacy Technician for PCPA
Abbie is a senior GP Practice Pharmacy Technician, the chair
Pharmacy Technician for the Primary Care Pharmacy Association and a member of
the CPhO Pharmacy Technician advisory forum.
She has a special interest in lipids and heart failure and
runs face to face clinics for these areas in her practice.
Abbie has been recognised nationally by the SPS, MHRA and
Regional Medicines safety officers and Chief NHSE Pharmacist David Webb for her
work to improve safety around valproate in female patients and ensuring annual
risk forms are completed. Before moving to GP practice, she worked in secondary
care for 8 years and 6 years within community pharmacy.
Nicola Stockmann
Pharmacy Operations Manager, Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust and President, Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK)
Nicola Stockmann is the President of the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK).
She has previously held roles as APTUK Vice-President (2022 – 2024) and the APTUK Hampshire branch chairperson (2020-2022). Nicola has represented APTUK and the Pharmacy Technician profession internationally and to give evidence at the Health and Social Care committee Pharmacy Inquiry 2024. Board member positions include the Inclusive Pharmacy Practice Board and holds an Ex Officio place on the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board (UKPPLAB). She is also currently a council partner for the Department of Health & Social Care ‘10 year health plan’ on behalf of APTUK.
In addition to her voluntary role as APTUK President, Nicola is also the Pharmacy Operations Manager at Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust. She has been a qualified Pharmacy Technician since 2012 and has previously worked in community pharmacy, clinical trials, medicines optimisation and as a Medicines Safety Officer.
Karen Thomas
Education Supervisor, CPPE
Karen is a qualified Pharmacy Technician with secondary experience in patient services, medicines management and a passion for education and training for all pharmacy professionals. On completing her Diploma in Education and Training and NVQ assessor qualifications Karen has worked with local and London Higer Education Colleges to teach, assess and support learners and apprenticeships on either BTEC Level 2 Certificate in The Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Support Staff and BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians learners. Karen joined Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) in 2020 as an Education Supervisor for the Primary care pharmacy education pathway, where she supports pharmacy technicians and pharmacist through the pathway working, during group tutorials, delivery of workshops and assessing of reflective essay and the learner’s portfolio of evidence.
Karen also works with pharmacy technicians on the CPPE Community pharmacy technician: advancing your role training programme supporting pharmacy technicians to develop their knowledge, clinical skills and behaviours of pharmacy technicians working in community pharmacy
In 2024 University of Manchester offered Karen the opportunity to submit portfolio of evidence for assessing against The UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and supporting learning in higher education, from which she was award Fellow.
Ellen Williams
Director of Regional
Pharmacy Training, Pharmacy Workforce Development South (PWDS)
Ellen is Director of Regional Pharmacy Training for the South West, where she leads Pharmacy Workforce Development South (PWDS) in shaping innovative education programmes and building a future-ready pharmacy workforce. As an Independent Expert Member of the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board (UKPPLAB), Ellen contributes nationally to advancing pharmacy professional leadership and driving strategic workforce development.
A proud APTUK Fellow and former Vice President, Ellen is a passionate advocate for pharmacy technicians, championing their role in improving patient access to healthcare through skilled, professional practice. She is committed to creating sustainable education pathways, supporting career development, and strengthening the pharmacy technician workforce to meet the needs of modern healthcare.