Obituary of former Psoriasis Association Chairman Ray Jobling MBE (1941-2026)

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Ray Jobling MBE, our former Chairman and Life Vice President who died peacefully at home on 16th January 2026.

Ray was instrumental in shaping the Psoriasis Association’s direction and success for nearly four decades after joining the Psoriasis Association in the 1970s. He had been diagnosed with psoriasis himself at the age of just 14.

In an article for the British Medical Journal in 2007, he wrote movingly of how psoriasis had affected his early life and prevented the fulfilment of a long-standing desire to join the Navy.

After earning a first-class degree in Social Science from the University of Liverpool. He joined St John’s College, Cambridge, becoming a Fellow in 1968 and serving in several influential roles, including University Lecturer, College Lecturer, Admissions Tutor, and Senior Tutor, where his calm, thoughtful leadership was widely admired. During this time, he continued to use all manner of different treatments for his psoriasis, but his skin did not improve.

It was after settling in Cambridge, following a year in Canada, that he first became aware of the Psoriasis Association, an organisation he subsequently credits with transforming his life by ‘informing and shaping my perspectives, raising my sights, and improving my “vision.” From here he began to speak and write publicly about his experience of pso­riasis reporting how ‘the association had been better for my morale than any medicine’.

By 1977, he had been appointed Chairman, a role he held for nearly 40 years during which time he worked tirelessly to champion the patient’s perspective and the needs of people living with psoriasis. As well as the day-to-day demands of the organisation, he served as a Lay Adviser to the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Skin & was an active contributor to the Board of The Skin Care Campaign. He worked closely with European organisations who work with those with psoriasis, notably in the Netherlands & Italy and lectured extensively to audiences of Dermatologists & Pharmaceutical industry executives about patient perspectives on psoriasis & other chronic skin conditions & their treatment.

As time progressed, his leadership and direction helped build a stronger voice for patients, expanded support for families and clinicians, and strengthened the organisation’s role within the wider dermatology community.

He served on the Council of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and as a Lay Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council. In 2014 he was awarded an MBE by the Queen for services to pharmacy education and regulation.

After stepping down as Psoriasis Association Chairman in 2015, he was appointed an Honorary Life Vice President, continuing an association that stretched over four decades.

We extend our sincere condolences to Ann and all of Ray’s family and friends at this sad time.

The funeral took place on Tuesday 10 February at the West Chapel of Cambridge Crematorium and was attended by staff members of the Psoriasis Association and former officers Nick Evans and John Ford.