Three new directors have been appointed to the board of the Institute of General Practice Management (IGPM) to strengthen its leadership team.
Ceri Chaplin, a managing partner from Herefordshire, Adrian Down, a managing partner from Lincolnshire, and Ed Kennedy, a managing partner from Hampshire all started their new roles this week.
They join current directors Kay Keane and Robyn Clark to form an expanded board of five members.
Meanwhile, Kay Keane (pictured), a co-founder of the IGPM, also takes on the new role of chair of the board from this week.
The changes to leadership team follow the retirement of Nicola Davies as a director at the end of March. Ms Davies continues to be education lead within the IGPM team.
The new board will be focusing on increasing recognition for managers in practices, the growth of the IGPM’s accreditation scheme and professional register, championing members’ views, and supporting the existing membership body, it has said.
They are supported by a network of regional representatives, all who are in practice management roles, from Practice Managers to PCN Managers throughout the UK.
The directors said: ‘With so much uncertainty in general practice, we felt it was important to move forward with a strong leadership team to grow recognition of the vital role managers play in the running and success of GP practices. As we approach a new contract, there has never been a more important time to ensure our voice is heard — loud, clear, and from a position of unity.’
Who are the new directors?
Ceri Chaplin, managing partner at Hereford Medical Group
The majority of Ceri’s career has been in primary care, starting as a graduate manager with Boots Opticians, then doing a brief stint in hospital management before taking on a role supporting patients and primary care providers in resolving complaints across six Local Health Boards in South Wales. Ceri has been in practice management since 2013. In 2018, he became the business manager of Hereford Medical Group, which was formed by the merger of his practice and four others and he joined the partnership as managing partner in 2022. Ceri brings experience in both practice management at scale and also representing practice managers across the county.
He told Management in Practice: ‘I am relishing being part of the team leading the IGPM. This year, 2025-26, sees the first agreed contract with general practice in four years and the promise of a brand new contract in 2026 means that it has never been more important that the voice of managers in practice is heard loud and clear.
‘The IGPM has become recognised across the NHS as an essential part of discussions relating to general practice because of the hard work and commitment of the founding directors.’
Adrian Down, managing partner at Caythorpe & Ancaster Medical Practice
Having previously worked in a variety of industries, Adrian joined this practice 20 years ago as practice manager wanting to be involved in something that made a difference to the lives of others.
He says he is mindful of how much practice management has evolved since then describing how when he first started, the only communication with commissioners was delivering the QOF folder to then primary care trust office at year-end, and completing the spreadsheet needed every quarter for enhanced services! Adrian went on to become a partner in the practice. He has a labrador dog and enjoys walking in the countryside.
He said: ‘The pressures we face as practice managers are made so much easier when you’re surrounded by people who truly understand the job. For me, that’s exactly what the IGPM is: a community of peers who support, advise, and lift each other up.
‘That’s why I’m honoured to join the IGPM board, to help grow this brilliant network and reach more people working in practice management across the UK.’
‘The IGPM exists to make sure we’re heard, supported, and represented. It’s a privilege to be part of this journey alongside Kay, Robyn, Ed, and Ceri.’
Ed Kennedy, managing partner at Wickham Surgery
Originally from the Isle of Wight, Ed is passionate about tackling the unique challenges faced by non-urban and rural practices—particularly around recruitment, digital connectivity, and dispensing. Now in his tenth year as a practice manager and managing partner at Wickham, Ed brings a wealth of expertise in rural healthcare, having previously worked in both pharmaceuticals and community pharmacy.
He said: ‘I’m excited to join as a director at such a pivotal moment in primary care, building on the incredible foundations the IGPM team has laid over the last few years. With a potential new GP contract, ICB cuts, and the closure of NHS England ahead, it’s never been more important for practice managers to be at the table.
‘We’re the ones who make the system work on the ground and I believe our profession, through the IGPM, has never been better placed to help shape a sustainable future for primary care, our colleagues, and our patients.’
