Committee Members – Birmingham and Solihull LPC

The Birmingham and Solihull LPC (BSol LPC) committee was formed in 2018 by the joining of two previously separate LPCs (Birmingham LPC and Solihull LPC). The committee consists of 9 independent Pharmacy contractor members that are elected by independent contractors. Additional places on the committee are filled by nominations from the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) and Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMp).

If you would like to view any declarations of interest for the committee please contact the LPC.

Committee members currently consist of:

Rebecca Butterworth (CCA) – Chair

Jeff Blankley

I spent 38 years working for Boots UK, exiting the business in 2017. My early career was entirely devoted to Pharmacist Store Management roles culminating in 7 years as Store Manager at the Merry Hill Regional Shopping Centre store in Dudley. In 2004 I became a multi-site manager before moving into the pharmacy support line as Regional Pharmacy Manager for local pharmacies in Wales and the West Midlands where I was responsible for pharmacy operations, standards, patient care, patient safety and commercial outputs. My final few years with Boots business enabled me to focus on external relationships as the Healthcare Development Manager across several areas in England. During the time I was active of several LPCs as a CCA rep, particularly in Birmingham where I chaired the LPC from 2015.

After leaving Boots, I was invited to continue the Chair role as an independent and when the role of Chief Officer was separated from the Chair’s role in 2018, I have continued to work in the LPC under the control and guidance of the chair. During this period, Birmingham and Solihull LPCs merged, locally commissioned services have been developed and support offered to the community pharmacy contractors around payments, standards, contracts and control of entry issues. I look forward to continuing in this role whilst making a positive contribution to the community pharmacy network in Birmingham and Solihull.

Harj Sadhra (Corporate Governance Officer)

Harj has worked in community pharmacy for over 29 years. He has held various Pharmacy manager roles within Lloydspharmacy, and then worked his way to Area & Regional Manager positions were he was accountable for delivering business commercial objectives, and leading field teams. Recently in the last 2 years he has worked with various NHS Acute Trusts, and private hospitals, so has a good understanding of the NHS structure and strategic plans.

He is now an independent Business Consultant in the Healthcare Sector and also working with various LPC’s as an Governance Office

Carol McNidder (Treasurer)

Carol has worked in Independent Community Pharmacy for over 40 years as a manager. She was on Solihull LPC for over 15 years as an Independent representative serving first as Treasurer and for the last 10 years as Secretary.

Sandeep Dhami (AIMp)

Qualifying from DeMontfort University in 1996, I have a strong passion for pharmacy. I am currently a member of Community Pharmacy Wales, Association of Independent Multiples and have been on Birmingham and Solihull LPC for a number of years.

Mike O’Donnell (AIMp)

Ameet Pancholi (Independent)

I curently own a small group of pharmacies and opticians within birmingham and staffordshire and have sat on BLPC for a number of years. During my time, I have held roles such as workforce development, stakeholder engagement and Vice Chair. I am passionate about community pharmacy and supporting contractors to embrace the changes (and challenges!) ahead of us.

Mukesh Paul (Independent)

Sanjeev Panesar (Independent)

Since qualifying in 2009 I have worked in both Independent Pharmacies and multiple groups in the Community Pharmacy sector. I became a Superintendent Pharmacist for a chain of Pharmacies in 2011 and have had experience dealing with a range of responsibilities, including legislative and personnel issues and ensured that each Pharmacy operates safely and effectively, adhering to the standards and code of conduct set out by GPhC and fulfils the contract requirements set-out by the NHS.

I have been a member of the LPC since 2014 and feel that although community Pharmacies are facing challenging times, it is now also being recognised for the value and skills it can offer to the NHS presenting an ideal opportunity for Pharmacy to contribute in a constantly evolving, patient-centred NHS.

Abbas Esmail (Independent)

Having studied Pharmacy at University of Portsmouth and graduating in 2008, I have always worked in the community pharmacy. Initially as a locum and then managing my own pharmacy.

I am an Independent member of the Birmingham and Solihull LPC and my interests are service development within the sector.

Mohammed Eshak (Independent)

I have been a community pharmacist for 28 years, beginning my career with Boots and then moving to owning my own pharmacy and then operating a small group of pharmacies. I have pharmacies in various geographic areas which allows me to share learning and experiences from other LPCs.

Pharmacy has faced significant challenges in recent years with more to come. I am passionate about taking pharmacy forward in these challenging times.

Nishant Kumar (Independent)

Ahsan Bhatti (Independent)

Mital Thakrar (CCA)

Since qualifying in 2013 from University of Hertfordshire, I’ve worked across a number of roles within Community Pharmacy. I am hugely passionate about the profession and delivering the best experience for patients and customers across local communities.

In my role at Well, I am responsible for Clinical Innovation, Digital Marketing, Online Services & Pharmacy Standards for Well Digital. The role includes assessing commercial growth, strategic implementation, governance, patient safety, innovation and implementation of key projects.

Uwais Mansoor (CCA)

I have worked as a pharmacist across the geography with Boots from health centre to flagship stores. Through this, I have had the opportunity to support the development and training of a range of pharmacy services from both a governance and operational perspective. I have always placed a strong emphasis on building relationships with stakeholders, from GP practices, service commissioner’s, pharmacy schools and NHS/external partners.

In my current line of work, as a Healthcare Academy Trainer, I have the privilege of supporting the development of the trainee and qualified pharmacist populations across Birmingham and Solihull with Boots. I am a champion for community pharmacy and its untapped potential in public health, especially our position to deliver better outcomes for patients across the geography where I live. I have a robust understanding of the current pharmacy landscape with a keen interest in prescribing, and look to work collaboratively with our partners to forward the development of our sector for our contractors, patients and our workforce.

Vanessa Morley (Service Support Officer)

Vanessa has over 15 years of community pharmacy experience. She has been involved with various major projects for Lloydspharmacy. Recently joined Birmingham and Solihull LPC as a Service Support Officer.

Kahinat Begum (Service Support Officer)

Experience of working in different sectors of pharmacy, has given me an insight into the increasing challenges pharmacies face and the driving force to fully support pharmacy development. I am a hardworking Services Development Officer committed to supporting contractors to develop new pharmacy services. Always ready to take up a challenge!