RCoA Elections and Appointments

Joining the RCoA Council is a unique opportunity to shape the future of anaesthesia. Council members help guide College policy and represent colleagues across all stages of their medical careers. 

2026 Election to RCoA Council 

There are the following vacancies in the next election to Council, with terms of office commencing in March 2027: 

  • 2 Consultant vacancies   
  • 1 SAS vacancy

The timetable is as follows:

Self-nominations:
  • Monday 14 September 2026: Self-nominations open. The link to the self-nomination site will be shared on this page and also via a news item on the RCoA website.
  • Monday 12 October 2026 at 12 noon: Self-nominations close.

Election:
  • Wednesday 11 November 2026: Ballot emails distributed.
  • Monday 14 December 2026 at 12 noon: Ballot closes, with results published as soon as possible following the ballot count.
  • Wednesday 3 March 2027: New members will be admitted to their first Council meeting.

 

Find out how to get involved

Council comprises of:

  • 20 Consultant members
  • 2 SAS members
  • 4 Anaesthetist in Training members.
     

 

If you have any questions about the process or your eligibility, please contact governance@rcoa.ac.uk. We are happy to help.

Devolved nations nominations

The Welsh Board of the Royal College of Anaesthetists currently has vacancies for members based in the following Health Boards:

  •  Hywel Dda  
  • Betsi Cadwaladr

If you are interested in joining the Welsh Board, please see more information here.

Positions on the Scottish and Northern Irish Boards of the Royal College of Anaesthetists are not currently open. Please find more information on this election, and contact governance@rcoa.ac.uk with any questions.

Past Council Elections

Election to RCoA Council 2025: Results

Voting for election to the Council of the Royal College of Anaesthetists closed at 12 noon on Wednesday 10 December 2025. The following candidates have been elected, with terms of office commencing in March 2026.  

Consultant vacancies (in alphabetical order, six to elect):  

  • Dr Roger CORDERY, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London
  • Dr Giovanna KOSSAKOWSKA, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
  • Dr Magesh JAYABALAN, South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
  • Dr Carolyn JOHNSTON, St Georges Hospital, London
  • Dr Orla LACEY, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
  • Dr Felicity PLAAT, Queen Charlotte's & Hammersmith Hospitals, Imperial NHS Trust 

Anaesthetist in Training vacancy (one to elect)  

  • Dr Aayushi GUPTA, University College London Hospital 

 

Full results 

The ballot process was managed by Civica Election Services. The full results can be viewed here.  

 

Election to RCoA Council 2024: results announced  

Voting for election to the Council of the Royal College of Anaesthetists closed at 12 noon on Wednesday 4 December 2024. 

The College is pleased to confirm that the following candidates have been elected, with terms of office commencing in March 2025.  

Consultant vacancies (in alphabetical order, four to elect):  

  • Dr Helgi JOHANNSSON, Imperial College Healthcare
  • Dr Kirsty MACLENNAN, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
  • Dr Emily SIMPSON, Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford
  • Dr Chris TILL, Blackpool Victoria Hospital 

SAS vacancy (one to elect)  

The College received one self-nomination for the SAS vacancy and therefore the election for the SAS vacancy was uncontested. We are pleased to confirm that Dr Kirstin May from Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was duly elected.  
 
The ballot process was managed by Civica Election Services. The full results can be viewed here.