In this inspiring episode of CPPE Pharmacy Conversations, hosts Jo Lane and Hayley Berry are joined by Sadie Pinkney, CPPE’s current Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Clinical Fellow, and Rahul Singal, one of the first pharmacy professionals to take up the fellowship back in 2015 and now Chief Pharmacy and Medicines Information Officer at NHS England.

Together, they discuss the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Clinical Fellowship scheme—a prestigious, year-long leadership development programme designed to equip pharmacy professionals with the skills and networks to influence national healthcare policy and service delivery.

Sadie and Rahul offer candid insights into their experiences as fellows, including the opportunities and challenges of stepping into high-profile national roles, the importance of mentorship and professional networks, and how the fellowship has shaped their careers and leadership capabilities.

The episode also explores top tips for applying, the value of the fellowship within the wider context of pharmacy, and how it aligns with broader initiatives in inclusive leadership, talent development, and strategic thinking within the NHS.

Whether you're curious about applying for a clinical fellowship or seeking to develop as a future leader in pharmacy, this episode offers both practical advice and motivational insights.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:

• Describe the structure and purpose of the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Clinical Fellowship and its role in developing leadership capabilities for pharmacy professionals.
• Reflect on the value of mentorship, networking, and national exposure in supporting personal and professional growth within pharmacy practice.
• Identify opportunities for leadership development and formulate an action plan for engaging with fellowship schemes or related initiatives, using tools such as the NHS Talent Management Toolkit.

Resources

CPPE leading for change programme

Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s pharmacy leaders development programme

Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Clinical Fellow Scheme

NHS England, Talent management resource tool