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President election
Here you'll find everything you need to know our recent election for the College's President, including the results and the candidates that stood.
Presidential election 2026: Professor Subodh Dave elected
Professor Subodh Dave has been elected as our next President, following a ballot with a turnout of 36.8%, and an unprecedented total of 6,466 votes cast, during the four-week voting period.
Candidates
Three candidates stood in our 2026 presidential election – find out more about them and view their statements (also available in Welsh):
You can also read their answers to questions submitted by members and affiliates.
President election FAQs
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 22 January 2026 (5pm) | Deadline for Council members to submit nomination forms |
| 23 January 2026 | Nominating meeting of Council / Nomination portal opens |
| 13 February 2026 (noon) | Closing date for submission of nominations |
| 16 February | Candidates filmed for website at Prescot Street |
| 17 February | Announcement of candidates standing for election |
| Late March | Article in RCPsych Insight profiling candidates |
| March | Online Q&A |
| 17 March | Hustings |
| 18 March | Voting opens |
| 15 April (noon) | Voting closes |
| 16 April | Results declared |
| 16 June | Term of office begins at AGM |
2023
Candidates: Dr Kate Lovett, Professor Russell Razzaque, Dr Lade Smith
Dr Lade Smith elected President
Total number of votes cast: 6,361
Voter turnout: 39.4%
2020
Candidates: Professor Kam Bhui, Dr Adrian James, Professor Pamela Taylor
Dr Adrian James elected President
Total number of votes cast: 3,346
Voter turnout: 22.9%
2017
Candidates: Dr Peter Aitken, Dr J S Bamrah, Professor Wendy Burn, Professor Rob Poole, Dr James Warner
Professor Wendy Burn elected President
Total number of votes cast: 4,595
Voter turnout: 33.1%
2014
Candidates: Dr Laurence Mynors-Wallis, Professor Sir Simon Wessely
Professor Sir Simon Wessely elected President
Total number of votes cast: 3,012
Voter turnout: 23.0%
2011
Candidates: Professor Dame Sue Bailey, Dr Sabyasachi Bhaumik, Professor Nick Craddock, Professor George Ikkos, Professor Anthony Pelosi, Professor Chris Thompson
Professor Dame Sue Bailey elected President
Total number of votes cast: 3,286
Voter turnout: 26.6%
2008
Professor Dinesh Bhugra elected President unopposed
2005
Candidates: Professor Sheila Hollins, Professor Cornelius Katona, Professor Femi Oyebode, Professor Richard Williams, Dr Tony Zigmond
Professor Sheila Hollins elected President
Total number of votes cast: 3,370
Voter turnout: 33.89%
2002
Candidates: Dr Jeremy Holmes, Dr Anton Obholzer, Dr Mike Shooter
Dr Mike Shooter elected President
Total number of votes cast: 3,308
Voter turnout: 37.2%
1999
Candidates: Professor John Cox, Professor Sir David Goldberg, Professor John Gunn
Professor John Cox elected President
Total number of votes cast: 3,309
Voter turnout: 38.0%
1996
Candidates: Professor Abdol-Hamid Ghodse, Professor John Gunn, Professor Robert Kendell
Professor Robert Kendell elected President
Total number of votes cast: 2963
Voter turnout: 37.0%
1993
Candidates: Dame Fiona Caldicott, Professor Arthur Crisp, Professor James Watson
Dame Fiona Caldicott elected President
Total number of votes cast: 3036
Voter turnout: 44.27%
1990
Candidates: Professor Arthur Crisp and Professor Andrew Sims
Professor Andrew Sims elected President
Total number of votes cast: 2763
Voter turnout: 43.5%
1987
Candidates: Dr Jim Birley, Dr Morgan Enoch, Professor Michael Gelder, Professor Eugene Paykel, Professor Robert Priest
Dr Jim Birley elected President
Total number of votes cast: 2593
Voter turnout: 45.0%
1984
Candidates: Dr Thomas Bewley, Professor Robert Bluglass, Dr Philip Connell, Professor Michael Gelder
Dr Thomas Bewley elected President
Total number of votes cast: 2305
1981
Candidates: Professor Kenneth Rawnsley, Dr Thomas Bewley, Dr John Pollitt, Dr Philip Connell
Professor Kenneth Rawnsley elected President
Total number of votes cast: 2064
Voter turnout: 43.09%
1978
Candidates: Dr William Heaton-Ward, Professor Sir Desmond Pond, Professor Kenneth Rawnsley
Professor Sir Desmond Pond elected President
Total number of votes cast: 2067
1975
Candidates: Professor Max Hamilton, Dr Thomas Main, Professor Sir Desmond Pond, Dr Felix Post, Professor Linford Rees, Professor Sir William Trethowan
Professor Linford Rees elected President
Total number of votes cast: 2081
1971
Candidates: Dr John Howells, Dr Alan Monro, Professor Sir Martin Roth, Dr William Sargant
Professor Sir Martin Roth elected President
Further questions
If you have any questions about elections that aren't answered on the website, please contact the Elections team on elections@rcpsych.ac.uk.