Rachel Bothwell

In 2018, Rachel Bothwell unexpectedly stepped into managing her family’s GP practice at the age of 26 after her father, a GP, was diagnosed with cancer. What was intended as a temporary measure to support her family quickly became a turning point in her career. With both the senior GP and practice manager - her parents - suddenly absent, Rachel guided the practice through a period of profound change, including a generational transition and the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What she found was a system where practice managers were expected to lead complex operations without adequate support, training or tools. The isolation was striking, and the lack of practical, community-based resources impossible to ignore. This experience became the spark for GP Practice Ally (GPPA), which Rachel founded in 2021.

Rachel built GPPA to give practice managers access to the training, tools and support they need to lead with confidence. Drawing on her background in business, branding and retail - including roles at Clerys and Dunnes Stores - she brings a fresh perspective to the business side of general practice.

Rachel was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Irish Early Career Awards 2024, recognised for her community impact, values-driven leadership and resilience. She was awarded Outstanding Small Business at the SFA National Awards 2025 for innovation, growth and meaningful impact and was runner-up in the IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2023 (Start-Up Category). Her work has been featured in The Sunday Times, The Medical Independent and The Irish Independent’s Future of Healthcare 2024 supplement.

At the heart of her vision is a belief in the vital role of effective practice management in the future of independent general practice - and in the power of connection, community and shared learning to build confident, capable teams.