Professor Luigi G Martini has been appointed as the new Chief Pharmaceutical Scientist for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS).

He will provide scientific expertise for policy development and implementation across the three national Boards and the RPS Expert Advisory Boards. The RPS says he will make a significant contribution to the work of the professional body in endeavours to improve public engagement with issues in pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sciences.

Professor Martini trained in Community Pharmacy before becoming a registered practicing Industrial Pharmacist and a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. He divides his time between the Pharmaceutical /Med Tech Industry and King’s College London as a Visiting Professor in Pharmaceutical Innovation, after having held the Chair in Pharmaceutical Innovation at King’s for 5 years.

Prior to that he spent over 20 years working in Pharma at GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, Roche Product Ltd and Shire Pharmaceuticals working in a variety of Commercial, Innovation and Medical Affairs roles, directing groups in the US, Europe and Emerging Markets.

On his appointment Professor Martini said: "I have always been proud to call myself a pharmacist and to call myself a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. This appointment is a clear signal that the RPS is determined to ensure that science into practice is a core tenet within the profession."

RPS chief executive, Paul Bennett, added: “I am delighted that Professor Martini will be joining the Society as our Chief Scientist in the New Year. The team and I look forward to working with Professor Martini to help us raise the profile of science and research and showcase the depth and rigour of science that lies behind the face of pharmacy.

“Until his arrival, we will continue to strengthen our science and research focus under the superb direction and support provided by Dr Claire Thompson, who recently joined the Society as Deputy Chief Scientist, and Dr Colin Cable, Assistant Chief Scientist.”