The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) invites fellows to nominate candidates for the presidential election in 2025.
RCP fellows may nominate candidates for the role of president with the expectation that they will serve for a recommended period of 4 years.
The downloads below provide further information on election arrangements – including timetable, canvassing and code of practice for candidates.
President (PRCP)
The president of the RCP is a high-profile, authoritative representative of the professional physician community. The RCP has always been fortunate that physicians of national distinction have been willing to put themselves forward for this role, and the prestige and influence of the RCP have been reinforced by the president’s personal standing.
The president leads the senior officers of the RCP, is chair of the Council and a member of the Board of Trustees. RCP Council is confident that, through a transparent, open and well-advertised process, we will elect a fellow of outstanding calibre to lead the RCP.
A detailed role description and other supporting information can be downloaded below.
Nominations for president must be supported by three fellows and the nominee must have been a fellow for at least ten years, by the close of the nomination period.
Anyone nominated must have agreed to stand for election and be aware that they are being nominated.
If you would like to discuss the role prior to nomination please contact the RCP registrar omar.mustafa@rcp.ac.uk or the chief executive ian.bullock@rcp.ac.uk
PRCP role descriptionHow to nominate
To nominate a candidate for the office of president, fellows should complete the relevant nomination form – download below.
Completed nomination forms should be sent to simon.land@rcp.ac.uk using the subject line: Nomination of president.
Nominations must be received by Monday 16 December 2024 in order to be considered.
Please note:
- Honorary fellows are ineligible to stand, nominate or vote in RCP elections
- Voting will open in March 2025 when all fellows will be sent online ballot papers and election material about the candidates.
Special general meeting of fellows for the election of the president/College Day 2025
This will be held on Monday 14 April 2025 as required by section 6 of the Medical Act 1860. The summons to fellows will be sent out at least 2 weeks before the special general meeting but online voting will open in mid March 2025. Fellows who physically attend the special general meeting will have an option to vote in person as required by current legislation. Full details of the procedure will be included with the voting papers, which will be emailed to fellows. Only those fellows who have been nominated through this process will be eligible to stand for election.
As in previous elections, the presidency is an annual office as required by statute, but the RCP Council recommends to fellows that the new president is elected with the expectation that their term of office will be 4 years. The formal transfer of authority to the new president, following an induction period, will take place as soon as possible following election. The new president will serve until transfer of authority to their successor at the annual general meeting 2029.
The RCP is all about our people – our members, our staff, our volunteers and leaders. We educate, influence and collaborate to improve health and healthcare for everyone and know we can only do this by being inclusive, encouraging and celebrating diverse perspectives. That’s why welcoming and having people who represent the 21st-century medical workforce, and the diverse population of patients we serve, is so important to us.