I want to acknowledge Andrew and his contribution to the Guild over the past 10 years. He has led the organisation through significant change – policy reform, a pandemic, and ongoing sector uncertainty. I want to thank him for his commitment to the Guild and community pharmacy.
2025 has been a big year. We’ve dealt with the funding impacts of 12-month prescribing, ongoing NAAR pressures, and continued regulatory change. Through all of that, the Guild has remained credible and constructive at the policy and funding tables.
We’ve strengthened relationships with Ministers and HNZ, we’ve stayed focused on practical solutions, and we’ve kept members informed during a complex time.
The year ahead will see several key priorities for the Board, with changes to our board composition and Guild leadership.
With Glenn Mills appointed as Interim Chief Executive, we will appoint a permanent Chief Executive later this year. The Board is committed to a robust recruitment process. This is not just about filling a role, it’s about thinking carefully about what the Guild needs for the next phase – the skills, experience and leadership style that will serve the sector well.
We will work to embed our new Constitution and governance model. Our appointments process and capability framework are designed to make sure we have the right mix of skills around the board table. As the sector becomes more complex, strong governance matters more than ever.
And of course, business as usual member support and advocacy continue. While transition gets attention, our core work is ongoing:
- Member support, tools and resources
- Sustainable funding
- Potential deregulation of pharmacy ownership
- Removing regulatory barriers
- Supporting workforce sustainability
- Scope expansion
We also recognise the importance of working with others in the sector to advance many of the issues important to us all – we are stronger together.
The environment around us won’t slow down – and neither will we. We continue working for you and building for the future.