Shirley’s 25-Year Career Journey at Boots | Community Pharmacy Leader

Shirley’s journey with Boots spans more than 25 years and reflects her deep commitment to community pharmacy, patient care and professional growth. From starting as a summer placement student in Brighton to progressing through store, clinical, head office and senior leadership roles, she has embraced every opportunity to learn, lead and make a difference. Her career is defined by a passion for developing people, delivering outstanding care and driving meaningful change across the pharmacy sector. Today, as an experienced leader, she continues to champion clinical excellence, inclusive leadership and the next generation of talent within Boots.

Give us a brief overview of your career with Boots so far.

I have been with Boots for over 25 years, starting as a summer placement student in Brighton during my Pharmacy degree. After completing three summer placements, the pre-registration programme and even working a weekend part-time job during term-time, I achieved my ambition to work for one of the biggest Community Pharmacy multiples in the country.

Early in my career, I held several Pharmacist Store management positions in both small local pharmacies and larger retail branches in London.

I have also worked in Head Office roles in Nottingham as an Assistant Development Manager, before being promoted to Business Development Manager where I had the opportunity to work on a really gratifying project on the creation of an Anticoagulation Service. I then joined our External Partnerships team as a Healthcare Partnership Manager (HPM) and negotiated contracts with various commissioners including NHS Trusts and then Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).

This role and others helped me to contribute as a Company Chemists Association (CCA) member of my Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC). I currently sit on the Community Pharmacy Kent LPC and chair the LPC Governance Sub-Committee.

Having completed both a Post-graduate Clinical Diploma and an Independent Prescribing course sponsored by Boots, I have had the privilege of launching and leading as Anticoagulation Service Manager of the Anticoagulation Services which was available in selected stores. This was an enhanced clinical management role which enabled me use to use my skills as an Independent Prescriber to help manage the care of patients with Atrial Fibrillation. I have also supported cancer patients as a Macmillan information Pharmacist.

I have also worked as a Pharmacy Support Manager (previously Pharmacy Operations and Governance Manager) which is a field-based role and supported 70 stores in Eastern England and Essex.

One of the most impactful roles I have had was being Senior Manager for Pharmacy Contracts working in a team that supported in shaping our Community Pharmacy Contract for England. Working within the Public Affairs Team I developed strategic projects that robustly evidenced the value of the community pharmacy sector and inform the evolution of pharmacy contract frameworks.

For the past 5 years I have been the Area Manager of Romford and Ilford in London which is an area with a high dispensing volume as well as Care Services, a Medisure (DDS) hub and a large population of pharmacists. This role allows me to focus on what I love which is Pharmacy, looking after my people and giving great care to my customers and patients.

As an Area Manager looking after nearly 400 colleagues, I support the Safer Business Initiative against Retail Crime recently meeting with The Right Honourable Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ilford North. Over the years, I have collaborated closely with local police and my MPs to keep our people safe.

How does Boots support leadership development and progression at different career stages?

Boots offer a very robust personal development plan that shapes the experiences and behaviours you need to focus on to step into a different role should you wish to. There are a wide range of career paths which include clinical, retail and management roles.

How do you create an inclusive and supportive team culture while still driving high performance?

I strongly believe that everyone should be free to come to work as a true version of themselves. I have a very inclusive and diverse team who represent the population we look after. As a leader, I treat every one of my team with dignity and respect and create a culture where their contribution is valued and rewarded. I take a fair and consistent approach embedding accountable leadership in my day-to-day management with the right balance of support and challenge.

What has made staying with Boots so easy?

With Boots, I have gained valuable experience in a wide breadth of roles ranging from store management to field-based, head office positions, clinical and senior management roles. I have been given several opportunities to nurture and develop my capabilities over the years. The company has also invested in my personal development with my Post Graduate Clinical Diploma and my Independent Prescribing and continues to help me grow as a clinician and as a leader.

How do you see leadership evolving over the next few years, particularly in retail pharmacy environment?

Leadership in pharmacy is undergoing a significant transformation driven by workforce pressures, technological acceleration, financial constraints, a changing commissioning structure and rising patient expectations. To shape our future, Pharmacy leaders must shift from day-to-day operational oversight towards performance-driven strategic direction and improving clinical outcomes for patients, supporting the broader objectives of the NHS . ‑to‑day operational oversight towards performance-driven strategic direction and improving clinical outcomes

What are your proudest achievements at Boots?

Although I have had many great achievements, the first day I wrote a prescription for an Atrial Fibrillation patient in a Boots consultation room will remain my proudest moment.

If you could leave readers with one piece of career advice, what would it be and why?

My advice is to take pride in the work you do, enjoy it and do your best to excel in whatever your role entails.

Also, you should have a Personal Development Plan so that you know what you are working towards, providing clarity and direction so you can take ownership of your own growth and career progression.

Shirley’s story is one of dedication, resilience and continuous development, shaped by a company that supported her ambitions and a profession she deeply loves. Her proudest moments come from directly improving patient lives, developing future leaders and helping evolve the role of community pharmacy. As the sector continues to transform, Shirley remains committed to leading with integrity, purpose and compassion. Her message to others is clear: take pride in your work, invest in your growth and embrace every opportunity to excel. With the right mindset and support, a fulfilling and impactful career, just like hers, is truly possible.