Bold strategy from the organisation

Cancer charity Macmillan has set out a new strategy to tckle a lack of diversity in the organisation.

Its chief executive said in a blog it would tackle equality, diversity and inclusion as part of a four year plan in the wake of the George Floyd murder last May.

Lynda Thomas said that every single person with cancer deserves the very best treatment and care but the truth is that “right now we are so far away from this being reality.”

The charity has created new governance structures to oversee this plan.

As part of this, Thomas will chair a group and it includes representatives from the board and from across the organisation and employee network groups.

Macmillan has also introduced Perspective Panels, which aim to give a platform to voices in the organisation from a range of backgrounds to talk about their lived experience.

Macmillan will be investing in targeted leadership training, overhauling its recruitment practices “to root out ingrained bias”, and setting targets to recruit more people from underrepresented groups. 

It will also look at the Macmillan brand, fundraising products and activities, adverts, and information.

Thomas said: “The challenges and barriers that exist for many people in every part of our society are just as present in cancer care, and even within Macmillan itself. T

This week we took an important step in calling out and dealing with those barriers by launching our new equity, diversity and inclusion strategy to our colleagues. 

 “It’s crucial that Macmillan is reflective of the very people we’re here to help. Over the last 12 months we’ve done a lot of work to ensure we aren’t just making pledges but turning our ambition into a strategy that puts equity, diversity and inclusion at the heart of the entire organisation, with everyone held accountable.

“We still have a long way to go, and we are committed to doing whatever it takes to support all people living with cancer.”