Professor Owen Bowden-Jones has been elected the next Registrar of the 免费黑料网 – in a ballot which saw a turnout of 19.4% (3,303 votes) – in an election which had six impressive contenders.
Professor Owen Bowden-Jones is a clinician, researcher, government adviser and public communicator. His roles include Consultant in Addiction Psychiatry, Honorary Professor, Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and President of a national academic society. Owen has spent his career championing co-produced, evidence-based mental health care.
The breakdown of first preference votes saw Professor Owen Bowden-Jones secure 32.4% (1,069) of the votes, with Dr Mayura Deshpande receiving 20.4% (674), Dr Fabida Aria 15.5% (511), Dr Rais Ahmed 13.1% (433), Dr Jeya Balakrishna 10.7% (355) and Dr Anis Ahmed 7.9% (261).
In the final round, and taking into account the additional preferences of those who voted for the four eliminated candidates, Owen won 48.5% (1,603), while Mayura won 33.6% (1,110). An additional 17.9% (590) of members did not express a preference for either candidate.
The position of Registrar is one of the most senior posts in the College and has responsibility for leading campaigns, influencing stakeholders and shaping policy at a national level.
Professor Bowden-Jones will take up his new role at the AGM on 25 June, succeeding Dr Trudi Seneviratne OBE who will have served a full five-year term in office.
Speaking after the result, Professor Owen Bowden-Jones, said:
“I am delighted to be elected as the next Registrar and will be pleased to take up this role in the summer. By working with members, patients, carers and the College, we will enhance mental healthcare and improve the working lives of psychiatrists.
“It is important that we ensure the voice of psychiatry is heard by both the general public and stakeholders at every level, and I look forward to meeting as many members as possible over the coming months and years.
“I would like to thank the other candidates; it has been a privilege to stand alongside them.”
RCPsych President, Dr Lade Smith CBE, said:
“Owen has been a great advocate for people with mental illness, particularly those with substance use disorders, and I am thrilled that he has been elected as the new Registrar. His experience of influencing Government will be a real asset and I’m sure he will achieve great things in this new role.
“Thank you to all the other candidates for a well-run and respectful campaign, and to the members for voting in this important election."
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