Dr Abdul Raoof

I bring experience and proven track record to provide steady, reliable leadership with ambition.

I will champion high standards, ensure the College remains relevant throughout the professional journey of our colleagues, and work collaboratively to support and represent all psychiatrists during these uncertain and challenging times to do their best

I have always believed the College should feel like a professional home, a community that stands alongside us and supports us at every stage of our careers to be at our best.

Dean’s role is not just about training, curricula and examinations, but about ensuring that sense of belonging, development and support throughout our professional lives.

I bring over 30 years of NHS experience, rooted in frontline, full-time clinical work as a ‘trainee’, SAS and consultant psychiatrist. I have also had the privilege of serving in a wide range of educational leadership roles, including SAS Tutor, Clinical Tutor, Director of Medical Education, and Vice Chair of the Mental Health Act Approval Panel (NHS Midlands and East).

Within the College, I have contributed extensively through committees and by leading major programmes, including International Congress, Mental Health Act approval courses, supervisor training and the National Autism Training Programme, supported by Faculties, Divisions and incredible colleagues.

As Associate Dean, I led the establishment of RCPsych Learn and oversee a significant proportion of the College’s educational delivery, including certificate/diploma courses.

I sit on the BJPsych Advances Editorial Board and the College’s Digital Strategy Group, and I am leading the MPAC (Multi Professional Approved Clinician) Review.

These experiences have given me a clear understanding of the realities facing our Residents, trainers and wider workforce. They have also shaped my leadership approach — calm, practical and focused on delivering solutions, even in uncertain circumstances.

This is a particularly challenging time for our profession. Workforce shortages, service pressures, NHS reform, evolving regulatory structures and increasing divergence among the devolved nations raise real concerns, including who will continue to uphold standards should training systems change. In this context, the College’s role as a trusted, independent voice becomes even more critical.

I would see myself as Dean for Education, Training, Workforce and Research, with implementation of our Academic Strategy as a priority.

I will provide steady, dependable leadership — ensuring the College safeguards standards while adapting thoughtfully to change. We must ensure our curricula, assessments, examinations and recruitment processes remain fair, robust, relevant and forward-looking, without compromising quality or patient care.

I am particularly committed to improving recruitment and retention across all grades, especially supporting SAS and locally employed doctors through clear, flexible and equitable pathways. 

I will ensure the College remains relevant to all psychiatrists throughout their careers — not only during training, but as a lifelong professional partner.

I believe in open, collaborative leadership; listening, engaging and acting transparently, guided by our core values. In the turbulent times ahead, we need to draw on our collective experience more than ever. We must advocate and engage robustly with policymakers regarding NHS and GMC reforms, the Medical Training Review, and Mental Health Act training and implementation. We must foster international collaboration and bidirectional learning.