Healthcare Communications Advocate

Summary of work

Winner: Mark Flannagan

Mark joined Beating Bowel Cancer in July 2010 from the Royal College of General Practitioners where he was Director of Policy and Communications. Mark has a background in a number of high-profile organisations including the Royal College of Nursing, Diabetes UK, the BBC and the homelessness charity, Crisis.

Mark began his career working for Action on Smoking and Health, lobbying for a ban on tobacco advertising and a ban on smoking in public places. He has also been a Trustee of Groundwork, the sustainability and regeneration charity.  He has a degree in Medieval History and a love of baking cakes and scones!

Judges comments

Mark’s passion, determination and dedication to the cause are truly impressive. His personal style and his vision and leadership, they are making a real difference.

The way in which Beating Bowel Cancer worked with the DH to get the Be Clear on Cancer campaign into the national consciousness was very impressive. For the first time ever bowel cancer was a national media focus. The campaign highlighted some rather unpleasant signs of bowel cancer and I am sure that there will be a correlation in earlier diagnosis and ultimately recovery for so many more people as a result.