Voting opens at 8:00 am on Friday, 15 May 2026, for the UKKA Multi-Professional Team (MPT) Clinical Vice President election.
This important leadership role helps represent the clinical voice of the multi-professional kidney workforce and contributes to the strategic direction of the Association. The Clinical Vice President (MPT) sits on the UKKA Trustee Board and works closely with professional groups, committees and national partners to support collaboration, clinical engagement and leadership across the kidney community.
Eligible members will receive a voting email to their registered membership email address on Friday morning. Voting will close on 31 May 2026.
The UKKA uses secure election software to administer its elections. Voting links will only be sent to current members. Any queries should be directed to the UKKA membership team.
About the candidates
Jude Allen
Lead Renal Pharmacist, Salford Royal Hospital
I have over 18 years’ experience as a specialist renal pharmacist and currently serve as Lead Renal Pharmacist at Salford Royal Hospital within the Northern Care Alliance. In this role, I lead a team of renal pharmacists, focusing on expanding our scope of practice and strengthening our contribution to the wider multidisciplinary team
I have played a key role in introducing new therapies for IgA nephropathy within the established glomerulonephritis clinic. My day-to-day practice involves close collaboration with multidisciplinary colleagues, and I have been instrumental in establishing and developing pharmacy-led education and medicines optimisation clinics for patients with complex conditions, including glomerulonephropathies, vasculitis, lupus, polycystic kidney disease, and tuberous sclerosis complex. I have also supported and trained other pharmacists to deliver these clinics, helping to build capacity and ensure high-quality patient care.
Throughout my career, I have been an active member of the UK Renal Pharmacy Group (UKRPG). I previously chaired the conference planning committee and most recently served as Treasurer on the executive committee. In this capacity, I contributed to shaping the group’s strategic direction and played a key role in decision-making to support its future development.
I have presented posters and sessions at numerous national meetings and conferences, contributed to advisory boards, and regularly chair meetings with senior pharmacy colleagues. These experiences have strengthened my leadership, communication, and strategic skills, which have been further enhanced through completion of the ‘Leading for Change’ course run by CPPE.
The Northern Care Alliance is a strong advocate for research, with the renal team playing an active role. I have recently begun to engage more in this area and am keen to further develop my contribution to research within my role.
I am particularly keen to take on this role to contribute more actively to the national kidney agenda and support the strategic direction of the UK Kidney Association. I believe pharmacists bring a valuable and distinct clinical perspective, and I am committed to collaborative working, and helping to shape the future of multidisciplinary engagement within the UKKA.
William Burlace
Clinical Pharmacist in Chronic Kidney Disease, Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria
I am a Clinical Pharmacist from Sunderland who has a passion for driving change in care for patients with CKD at a regional and national level, as well as educating and helping increase awareness around the condition.
Having completed my independent prescribing in diabetes, I quickly found there was a gap in care for patients with CKD – particularly in the Northeast, where underserved communities are disadvantaged. I have since been extremely passionate in working cross sector to come up with ways to reduce health inequalities and improve care.
I am currently in a leading role on the SPOT CKD project in the NENC ICB, as well as holding a nominal role within the NENC Renal Network as a Clinical Pharmacy Advisor in CKD, organising educational sessions and community of practice meetings. This means I have extensive experience in discussions about meaningful change and can comfortably liaise with colleagues to work collaboratively.
Last year, I won the I2I Best Practice award for delivering Insight to Implementation in my area, recognising my 'outstanding ability to translate insight into meaningful implementation, driving measurable impact and inspiring excellence in practice'.
I am also soon to be involved in the Renal Advisory Group, which will comprise a collection of colleagues from across the UK, including Professor Smeeta Sinha, who will meet to discuss pressing matters regarding the current situation in CKD at a national level.
I am also currently sitting on the Steering Group for the development of a new report on the health economics of targeted screening for CKD with KRUK.
I am acutely aware of the vital role of MDT working in shaping the future of kidney health nationally.
I feel that both my experience and passion for driving change in CKD at a regional and national level make me an ideal candidate for the Clinical Vice President (MPT) role. I have a good track record of collaborative working through the SPOT CKD project and have so far worked to develop a CKD guideline for the NENC ICB to reduce disparities in treatments.