AIMp appoints David Vanns as its new Chairman

The Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMp) has appointed David Vanns as its non-executive Chairman following the retirement of its long serving Chair Peter Cattee. Vanns will take up the role from April 2023.

Cattee, one of the co-founders of AIMp took up the role as its Chairman in 2000. He is also a non-CCA representative on the PSNC. Despite retiring as chairman Cattee will remain on the AIMp board.

Commenting on his retirement Cattee said: “It's 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. It's been during 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 said: “We thank Peter for his services and dedication to AIMp throughout the years. Our organisation has grown to be a diverse and dynamic organisation representing and supporting pharmacy groups of all sizes, small and large. Our main identity and what unites us in AIMp, irrespective of the size of the pharmacy group, is being Independents, and we are very proud of our identity. We look forward to continuing our work in representing and supporting our members in the best way possible.”

Vanns who is also one of the co-founders of AIMp said: “I remember the day five of us founded AIM in 2002. 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, dedicated to keeping the sick and the elderly in their own homes.

Failure by the current government and NHS management to understand our integral role in national healthcare has never been so evident and AIM is even more needed now than it was in 2002. This is clear because every year since 2002 our membership has grown significantly from that initial 700 founding pharmacies.

I applaud the tireless efforts of our CEO, Leyla Hannbeck, in so eloquently promoting the message of the valuable role that AIMp member pharmacies play in our national healthcare system. I am looking forward to the Board of AIMp redoubling our efforts to support her in standing up for the interests of our amazing members.”

AIMp currently represents independent pharmacy groups with three and more branches. Independent pharmacies with less than three branches can choose to be an associate member of AIMp.