We are delighted to announce the appointment of Elen Cook as Director of Professional Standards, and Alexandra Duffety as the Director of Finance and Operations, effective immediately.
Elen Cook has extensive experience at the College, with over two decades of working for the organisation. Elen first joined the college in 2003 as a Membership and Finance Administrator and has held a number of roles, including directly supporting the President and College Officers, and as an interim Director.
In her position as Director of Professional Standards, Elen will lead a team of 83 staff members who focus on training, education and supporting the psychiatric workforce in the four UK nations and internationally.
Alexandra Duffety brings a wealth of experience in finance. Alexandra qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte, before holding a number of senior finance roles in the private and public sector. Most recently she was the Chief Finance Officer at the Diocese of Ely Multi Academy Trust.
Alexandra joined the College in 2023 in an interim role, as the Director of Finance and Operations, and she will lead the RCPsych teams that manage finance, governance, membership and facilities.
Sonia Walter, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:
“I am absolutely delighted that Elen and Alex have joined our Senior Management Team permanently – I know they will help to take the College from strength to strength. We had many strong applications to these Director roles, but throughout the process, it was clear they were the best candidates to move our strategic priorities forward.
“Elen has dedicated her career to the College and improving the working lives of psychiatrists so they can secure the best outcomes for people living with mental illness. I know how important the role of Director of Professional Standards is, and Elen is the perfect candidate.
“Alex has already achieved so much in a short period as a member of the management team, and I am so pleased we are able to appoint her into the substantive post.”
Elen Cook, Director of Professional Standards, said:
“The College is such an interesting and engaging place, I can’t quite believe I have been here for 20 years. Delivering world-class training and professional standards is at the heart of everything RCPsych does. I look forward to delivering against the College’s aspiration of advancing psychiatry both here in the UK, and across global healthcare systems.”
Alexandra Duffety, Director of Finance and Operations, said:
“RCPsych has a clear ambition to deliver an excellent member experience and make effective use of resources. I am thrilled to have been appointed as Director of Finance and Operations, and will take forward RCPsych’s core values in all I strive for.”
For further information, please contact:
- Email: press@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Twitter: @rcpsych
- Out-of-hours contact number: 07860 755896