Paul Rees MBE
Chief Executive and Registrar
Paul joined the NMC from the National Pharmacy Association, where – as Chief Executive – he led on the transformation of culture and performance. During his 14 months in post, he successfully led the cross-sector Save our Pharmacies campaign – which, in early 2025, led to a 19% increase in government funding for community pharmacies in England, after a decade of flat funding. He also oversaw a healthy increase in membership and helped ensure the first group surplus in several years.
Prior to that, Paul was Chief Executive at the Royal College of Psychiatrists for seven years, where he led on the transformation of culture and performance. While at the RCPsych, he oversaw a tenfold increase in positive national media coverage; the consistent shaping of the government agenda on mental health; the delivery of an award-winning recruitment campaign for psychiatry; the complete transformation of IT services; the digitisation of the global entrance exam for psychiatry; and a 33% increase in member events.
While Paul was in post, the RCPsych’s membership increased from 17,500 to 21,200 – and it won a string of awards including: Charity of the Year in the European Diversity Awards, the Charity Times Campaigning Team of the Year for its work on EDI, a Stonewall Gold Award for being named in the top 100 employers in the UK for LGBTQ+ inclusivity, the ‘memcom’ membership sector EDI Campaign of the Year Award, the ‘memcom’ membership sector Sustainability Award, and the ‘memcom’ membership sector Marketing Campaign of the Year Award.
Prior to becoming a Chief Executive, Paul was Director of Policy and Engagement with the Royal College of GPs, Director of Communications with the Charities Aid Foundation, Assistant Director for Campaigns and Communications at the National Housing Federation, Director of Communications at the Zahid Mubarek public inquiry, Director of Communications at the Victoria Climbié public inquiry, Director of Communications at the Association of University Teachers, and Head of Communications at the Ramblers Association. Prior to that, Paul was a national journalist with the Times, Sunday Telegraph and BBC Radio 4 and Radio 5 Live.
Paul has won a number of individual awards. In 2022, he was awarded an MBE for services to mental health and equality, diversity and inclusion. Prior to that, in 2020, he won the ‘memcom’ membership sector CEO Leadership Award. Meanwhile, in 2025, Paul won the Inclusive Leader of the Year Award at the B.A.M.E. Health and Care Awards.
