Department issues final call for candidates to be next MHRA chair

Medicines and healthcare products regulator offers £63k for part-time successor to Michael Rawlins


MHRA is based at the government's Canary Wharf hub in east London Credit: Cabinet Office

By Jim.Dunton

03 Apr 2020

The Department for Health and Social Care has issued a final call for candidates to succeed Professor Sir Michael Rawlins as chair of the Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

Rawlins took on the role in 2014 and saw his term extended by a further three years in 2017. But his time at the helm of the board at the agency – which regulates medicines, medical devices and blood components for transfusion in the UK –  is due to end.

DHSC is offering £63,000 a year for the MHRA’s next chair in return for what it says is a two or three day week. Rawlins’ remuneration was banded at £60,000-£65,000 in the agency’s 2018-19 annual report.


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MHRA chief executive officer June Raine said the agency’s next chair would need to demonstrate a career record of achievements in the life-sciences sector or transferrable experience from an alternative regulatory sector, boast excellent communications skills, and be able to drive transformation.

“This is a pivotal time in the agency’s history and we are in the process of organisational transformation to enhance our vital role in the safeguarding of public health,” she said.

“During the coming three years the chair will play a key role as the agency delivers an ambitious business change programme which will help maintain the UK as a global centre of excellence in medical science, in the best interests of patients and the public.”

MHRA currently has more than 1,300 staff at sites in London, York, and South Mimms in Hertfordshire.

Applications for the chair role are open until midday on 8 April.

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