A graduate of Bath University, Richard Needle, PhD, FRPharmS, FFRPS, was chief pharmacist of Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust for 20 years until his retirement from this role last year. He has had considerable experience of leading and working with national groups, including involvement with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. He was involved as a contributor to, and author of, professional guidance documents, and an author of more than 20 practice and research publications. He is a former Honorary Professor of Pharmacy practice – University of East Anglia. Since 2008 he has also been an ordained Anglican priest and is a member of the ministry team in his local benefice.