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Photography Credit: Nathalie Crouch Photography
Above: Claire Rodulfo
Claire Rodulfo, Crest Pharmacy, Canford Heath, Poole
Team Leader Award winner
This year’s Team Leader Award winner, Claire Rodulfo, is a leader everyone would want to have on their side. Claire’s nomination was full of praise backed by incredible statistics.
Since taking charge of her branch, Claire has improved staff and patient satisfaction, ensured an uptick in service provision, encouraged greater levels of learning amongst the team, and established important relationships with other primary care providers.
On top of training
As well as her role as store manager, Claire is a clinical mentor and professional workplace supervisor for Crest Pharmacy’s two branch-based NHS PTPTs, explained her nominator, group CEO Carl Rose.
“Claire incorporates daily bite-sized learning into the workflow and always uses opportunities to spend time sharing her experience and knowledge with junior members of our team, so that they too will become proficient as pharmacy technicians,” said Carl. “She is keen to drive forward her own development but also the industry role of pharmacy technician.”
This is clearly evident through Claire’s support for services in the pharmacy, which have grown by almost 80 per cent since her arrival. “Claire embraces NHS and private service delivery, such as the hypertension screening service, vaccinations, oral contraception and stop smoking services,” said Carl. “She understands both professional responsibility and commercial sustainability.”
Important relationships
One of the most impactful things Claire has done for her community and has been establishing trusted relationships with GP surgeries, nurses and the local primary care network. “Claire is a good communicator and problem solver. She worked out that local challenges can often be overcome by building and maintaining relationships,” said Carl.
The local GP practice manager, James Leyland, endorsed Claire’s nomination, commenting on her impact on the pharmacy. “Within weeks, Claire turned things around. It was an amazing transformation to see,” said James.
“New systems were put in place. Regular and exceptional communication was instigated for patients and the practice team. Where there were endless queues and problems, there is now a slick, streamlined process and a calm, positive aura within the pharmacy, and this is down to Claire.”
Judge Michelle Riddalls, PAGB chief executive, also commented: “It was great to see how Claire has developed the relationship between the pharmacy and surgery. The level of work she has undertaken and the support for her team seems outstanding. I found Claire’s story really inspiring.”
Tariq Bolia, Sparkhill Pharmacy, Birmingham
Team Leader Award Highly Commended
Tariq Bolia’s nomination was inspirational to read. Tariq began working in Sparkhill Pharmacy as a volunteer, helping on the shop floor from time to time. In the years that have passed since then, Tariq has acquired qualification and certificate after qualification and certificate, finding himself in almost every role in the pharmacy, finally landing in the position of pharmacy manager – a role, it seems, he was born for.
“Tariq doesn’t just manage a pharmacy – he leads with heart, integrity and dedication,” wrote Tariq’s nominator, locum pharmacist Mohammed Ellahi.
“He has created an environment where people feel supported, standards are high and patients receive the very best care. For his commitment, his leadership, and the genuine difference he makes every single day, he truly deserves this award.”
PAGB chief executive and RoE judge Michelle Riddalls said: “Tariq’s journey from volunteer to manager was inspiring, as were the level of activities and support he has provided to the team.”
What shone through in Tariq’s nomination for another RoE judge, was his fierce support and encouragement of training in the pharmacy amongst his team. “His nomination spoke of Tariq’s persistence and encouragement of others. He even encouraged his colleague Mohammed to complete his Independent Prescriber qualification.
Tariq’s natural belief in others, and the want to help them achieve more than they think they can, is truly admirable,” said Lesley Neil, Training Matters editor. “He was described not just as a pharmacy manager, but as a leader who makes a genuine difference each day.”
Chantelle Steadman, The Family Chemist, West Bridgford, Nottingham
Team Leader Award Highly Commended
“Since joining the business in February 2024, Chantelle has rapidly developed into a trusted and highly capable leader within a fast-growing, high-pressure environment,” wrote Priya Saggar in her nomination of Chantelle for the Team Leader Award.
“What makes her contribution particularly notable is that she is still completing her apprenticeship, yet consistently performs at the level of an experienced manager.”
Chantelle plays a central role in the day-to-day of running the pharmacy, managing the team, acting as a key point of contact for staff and customers and resolving challenges.
“Chantelle is an exceptional all-rounder. She is equally comfortable managing people, supporting operational processes and contributing to improvements that enhance efficiency and patient safety,” said Priya. “Her proactive approach means she does not wait to be asked; she identifies what needs to be done and takes action.”
The judges were equally impressed by Chantelle’s ability to balance her training with her ability to run the pharmacy to such a high standard. “The volume of work The Family Chemist deals with is immense, but Chantelle takes this in her stride,” said Training Matters editor Lesley Neil.
“Calm in the face of even the most intense pressure, she stabilises the team and leads their support for more than 100,000 patients across the country. That is a truly impressive number of patients, and a job that requires the best management and leadership skills, which Chantelle seems to naturally possess. Being able to lead a team in ensuring that more than 1,000 daily orders for weight loss jabs were delivered accurately and on time is fantastic.”
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