Kirit was one of the UK’s most recognised pharmacy entrepreneurs. He had over 40 years of retail pharmacy experience and had grown the company from two pharmacies in 1975 to over 280 pharmacies in the UK, in 2016. Kirit’s contribution to pharmacy was recognised in 2005 when he was awarded an MBE by HM Queen Elizabeth II. His academic achievements range from a degree in Pharmacy from Portsmouth University to an MBA from Westminster University in 1988, a postgraduate diploma in Philosophy from Brighton University in 1998 and attending the Advanced Management Programme at Wharton Business School in 2006. Further, in June 2016, Kirit received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration from University of Bath. Amongst a large number of professional achievements, he was a founding member of the Association of Independent Multiples, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Business and a founding Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Kirit was also the Vice Chairman of Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, served as a government advisor on the Small Business Council (2000 – 2003) and the Better Regulation Task force (2004 – 2006). In 2015, he was appointed Non Executive Director of Brighton & Hove University Hospital. To read more about the life of Kirit Patel MBE, please click on the link HERE.
JC was born in Kisumu, Kenya, however graduated from Gujarat University in India with an MSc degree in Physics.
Before founding Day Lewis with his brother Kirit in May 1975, JC returned to Kenya to enter the teaching profession. In 1976, he moved to the UK to help with the family business.
He became a Sub Postmaster in Hammersmith until 1979, when he moved over to manage the retail pharmacies for Day Lewis. JC is now Company Secretary, in addition to being the Sub Postmaster of the four post offices within the Group.
JC’s most memorable moments at Day Lewis so far was when the Day Lewis acquired their 100th shop, and when the company also reached their silver anniversary.
During his lifetime, he would like to go on a cruise tour around the world.
Jay qualified as a pharmacist from Portsmouth University and holds an MBA. He has had several roles with his Day Lewis career over the years progressing from Pharmacist Manager, Regional Manager and Chief Innovation Officer for the group.
As Executive Director at Day Lewis Plc, Jay leads the business alongside Rupa Patel and Sam Patel. He is responsible for Retail Strategy and Innovation. His vision is to essentially join up great people, with effective and professional processes, using robust technology to give patients the best possible experience and outcomes. Jay is the elected Multiple Chemist Representative on the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC). He is passionate about pharmacy politics and the role the community pharmacy sector plays within the NHS.
During his lifetime Jay would like to run at least one Marathon.
Rupa originally trained as a dentist and subsequently holds an MBA and a Masters in Property Valuation and Law. As Executive Director at Day Lewis Plc, Rupa leads the business alongside Jay Patel and Sam Patel. Her role as custodian for the people, values and culture derives from her passion for family businesses.
Rupa is responsible for Learning and Development, HR and Property investment.
In her spare time, Rupa likes to network with other family businesses and is an active member of the Institute for Family Business. She is also a trustee at Legacy, an Onside Youthzone supporting the young people in Croydon.
Sam holds a Master’s degree in Economics & Management from Oxford University, as well as an MBA from Insead Business School. He started his career at PwC where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant, and later joined Day Lewis in April 2012. As Executive Director at Day Lewis Plc, Sam leads the business alongside Jay Patel and Rupa Patel. He is responsible for supply-chain, international growth, and group investment/finance activity.
Sam’s proudest moment at Day Lewis so far is concluding the series of acquisitions that took the group past 250 pharmacies.
During his lifetime, he would like to go heli-skiing in Jackson Hole, USA.
Bhavesh joined Day Lewis in 2019 and brings with him many years of property experience, previously heading up property division at L’Oréal and a number of other corporate and consultancy roles. Bhavesh is a Chartered Surveyor and member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors having qualified in 2010.
Bhavesh is responsible for the property function within the business and is looking forward to bringing his skills and knowledge to Day Lewis.
An avid Arsenal fan, trying to go to as many games as possible hoping one day to see them win a few trophies for the cabinet.
Steve joined Day Lewis in April 2019 and brings with him many years of retail experience having previously headed up the IT functions for Virgin Retail, Mothercare, Pizza Hut and HSS Hire Group.
Steve is extremely keen to underpin the continued growth and success of Day Lewis by building on the extremely talented IT team and stable solutions which are already in place.
Outside of work Steve is an active Freemason, works closely with the Goods For Good Charity, is an Arsenal season ticket holder, holidays in the sun as often as possible and above all, loves spending quality time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
During his lifetime, Steve would like to learn to play a musical instrument so that he can sing and play at the celebration party next time Arsenal win the champions league!
Heena is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales having qualified with Halpern and Woolf in 1988. In her career, Heena has headed up business finance functions for a number of entrepreneurs and was also the Finance Director at Glebe Asset Management.
Having joined Day Lewis in October 2011, Heena’s proudest moment is successfully negotiating a five year bank club facility that has enabled the company to achieve its ambitions to grow both the distribution and retail businesses.
During her lifetime, she would like to see a tiger in the wild.
Rachna qualified as a pharmacist at the London School of Pharmacy. She started working for Day Lewis as a Pharmacist Manager in 2002 and joined our support office team in 2017 as a Professional Services Pharmacist. in 2022 Rachna was promoted to the role of Superintendent Pharmacist of the Day Lewis group. Prior to joining Day Lewis, she held the position of Pharmacist Manager for a small independent group.
Rachna brings over 25 years of experience to her role as Superintendent and her ambition is for Day Lewis to be the industry leader in patient safety.
During her lifetime, Rachna would like to visit all seven wonders of the world.
Raymond is qualified as a pharmacist, however has spent the majority of his career in senior general management roles within companies including Guinness Retail and AAH Retail/Lloyds Pharmacy.
Having worked for Day Lewis since September 2005, Raymond’s proudest moment is helping the company to move into a new modern office and overlooking the installation of the automation in the new warehouse. This was a major milestone which signified the company’s ability to grow into a significantly larger business.
During his lifetime, Raymond would like to spend a month touring the west coast of America, in particular California.
With over 40 years of experience in the field of procurement in UK pharmacy, Prakash used to own multiple pharmacies in his family business, Elmfield Drugs Ltd. He was also a nationwide pharmaceutical distribution wholesaler with his previous family company, Kemicash Ltd.
Since joining Day Lewis in 2002, the plan was to work with our team for twelve months, but he has remained with us for over twenty years, very much feeling part of the Day Lewis family.
In his spare time, Prakash spends time feeling frustrated on the golf course but much more relaxed when with his four grandchildren.
Shimal is currently enrolled on the Executive MBA programme at Warwick Business School, taught at The Shard in London. He has previously attained a Master’s degree in Business & IT from Aston Business School and a Bachelors degree in Economics & Finance from University of Southampton. Further, he has attended residential executive development courses at Cranfield School of Management and at Ashridge Executive Education.
Shimal’s most memorable moment at Day Lewis so far is when his Marketing department were finalists for the “Team of the Year” category at an industry awards event.
During his lifetime, he would like to appear on BBC’s Masterchef.
Taybi is a qualified pharmacist and graduated from Brighton University. Prior to joining Day Lewis in October 1982, Taybi worked for Boots as a pre-registration pharmacist and relief manager for the South Eastern area.
Taybi’s most memorable moment at Day Lewis so far is founding Day Lewis’ annual conference alongside fellow colleagues, and he is proud to see how it has evolved over the years.
During his lifetime, he would like to visit a few geographical wonders, such as Mount Everest.
Tim is a graduate of the Wharton Business School and has also completed an MBA at Kingston University in 1999; however his experience in the UK pharmacy industry began in 1991 at what was then known as UniChem Ltd. He later became the Chief Accountant of Moss Pharmacy, which is now known as Alliance Boots. During this time, Tim helped the company to grow from 92 to 750 pharmacies in the UK. In December 2005, he joined Day Lewis as a Commercial Manager, with the responsibility of finance and business development.
During his lifetime, he would like to gain a history degree and go on a cricket tour in the Caribbean.
Tim is qualified as a pharmacist. Tim has held a variety of senior management positions at Alliance Boots. He then joined Day Lewis as Head of Retail in 2010 and now leads the pharmacy team. In addition to his position at Day Lewis, Tim holds positions in several pharmacy associations and committees; including the Surrey Local Pharmaceutical Committee and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
Tim’s most memorable moment at Day Lewis so far is leading a session for company colleagues at the Day Lewis Annual Conference 2014.
During his lifetime, he would like to learn how to play the piano.
Michael joined Day Lewis in 2016 following a Pharmaceutical Executive career where he was Vice President of Accord Europe following 10 years as Executive Director, Generics at Actavis. He has previously chaired the British Generic Manufacturers Association.
A biochemistry graduate, he gained his MBA from Warwick Business School and recent qualified as a Chartered Director and Fellow of the Institute of Directors.
In his early Career Michael was a professional cricketer with Glamorgan County Cricket Club and during his lifetime he would like to see Wales win the Rugby World Cup.
Peter holds a degree in pharmacy from the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology. Before joining Day Lewis in June 1987, Peter worked for 15 years at Boots as a Store Manager and Pharmacy Superintendent. He has also previously owned six pharmacies.
Peter’s proudest moment at Day Lewis is when Kirit received the award of Member of the Order of the British Empire.
During his lifetime, he would like to own a Maclaren 650S.
Originally from Manchester on leaving school Jeff spent 24 years as an officer in the Royal Navy. He gained a degree in electrical engineering whilst serving and continued in engineering roles and in the nuclear industry once he left.
Jeff went on to operations within the pharma industry where he spent the rest of his career. He has worked for Baxter, J&J Partners and spent the last two years working as VP operations for a pharma manufacturer in Switzerland.
Jeff is happily married and thankful his grown-up children have left home, so they tell him.
He is looking forward coaching, mentoring building stellar teams with bright stars to achieve galaxy status. Outside of work Jeff likes to sail his boat and he is a united fan!
John graduated from Leeds University in 1988, since when he has held a number of multi-site management roles. He joined Day Lewis in 2005 as an Area Manager and has seen the company grow from around 80 Pharmacies to over 260. John holds two roles in Day Lewis, Regional Manager for the North of England, and Pharmacy Operations Manager for the whole estate. He is particularly proud of helping move Day Lewis to becoming one of the leading service providers in Community Pharmacy.
His hobbies include watching live music and he is looking forward to Newcastle United winning their first major trophy since 1969.
Alan has held a variety of management positions in the Retail Sector. He then joined Day Lewis as an Area Manager in 2006 and now is the Regional Manager for the South East of England. In addition to his position at Day Lewis, Alan has held positions in several pharmacy associations and committees; including the Hampshire and Kent Local Pharmaceutical Committee’s.
Alan’s most memorable moment at Day Lewis so far is leading the International Recruitment Program.
During his lifetime, he would like to learn how to play golf better.
Rosie has worked for Day Lewis for 15 years and has enjoyed every minute of it. As a Qualified Pharmacist, Rosie is responsible for our pharmacies in the South West covering Hampshire to St Just in Cornwall - Lands End
She heads up the Healthcare Sales team and is also a PCN Lead and a member of Cornwall LPC.
At home Rosie has 3 boys who keep her very busy.
In her spare time Rosie loves sea swimming , SUP Boarding and sailing and living in beautiful Cornwall enables her to do this.
Iain is a qualified pharmacist and has worked previously for 25 years with Lloyds Pharmacy holding several key positions including Pharmacy Manager, Cluster Manager, Talent Manager, Regional Trainer, and Regional Manager amongst others, before joining Day Lewis in 2022.
Responsible for 60 pharmacies across London he is often found on the London Underground out meeting his pharmacy managers and their teams helping with personal development and providing excellence in retail pharmacy.
Iain enjoys travelling and would love to visit Iceland, see the Northern Lights, and experience the natural thermal springs.