Professor Anthony Harnden appointed new MHRA chair

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has appointed Anthony Harnden, a professor of primary care at the University of Oxford, as
its new Chair.

Professor Harnden brings decades of experience to the role. He has served the NHS for 40 years, including 33 years as a general practitioner in Wheatley, Oxfordshire.

Until the end of December 2024, he will also continue as a registrant council member of the General Medical Council and chair of the Remuneration Committee.

He previously served as deputy chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), where he played a key role in ensuring public trust and patient
safety during the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Professor Harnden succeeds Stephen Lightfoot, who served as MHRA chair from September 2020 until stepping down in 2023.

On his appointment, Professor Harnden said: “It is a great honour and privilege to be appointed by ministers to be the next MHRA chair. I am looking forward to
making a contribution to the future successes of the organisation.