The National Pharmacy Association is to hold an election for a new board member after Noel Wicks stepped down as Scotland representative, it has been announced.

Mr Wicks said: “It’s with sadness that due to the increasing challenges of running an expanding community pharmacy group as well as some unanticipated changes in our family circumstances I have resigned from the board of the NPA.

“The last few years on the board have demonstrated to me the importance of the NPA and the great work that it does. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to be a member of the board and to have the opportunity to help colleagues all over the UK. I’m looking forward to supporting my replacement in due course.”

NPA chair Nitin Sodha commented: “Naturally we are sorry to see such a great advocate [for] community pharmacy leaving but we thank him for his hard work and dedication.” Mr Wicks will carry on working on one or two NPA projects but without the demands of being a board member, Mr Sodha added.

All Scottish NPA members will receive nomination forms by the end of September, with nominations closing at noon on 12 October.