The Top 500

A miserable Sunday as I trudged through Brockwell Park with the drenched Hound. But it was much enlivened by the Sunday Times! They have published a list of the Top 500 key influencers in Britain, and I appear in this list as one of the 20 most influential people in health. Other sectors featured include politics, broadcasting, finance, sport and the like.

As it says in the ST blurb “It's not about how much money you have, or who shouts loudest." Just as well, at least re. the money bit. Debretts helped compile the list with panels of judges who were tasked with finding the top 500 people who "demonstrate outstanding qualities of influence, achievement and inspiration".

It was neat for me that my brother Nick was the Panel Chair for retail so, as far as I could see, we were the only 2 brothers to appear on the list.

I know I have just written a piece with that bold headline about leaving your ego at the door, but I have to admit to being dead chuffed about this. It does highlight the work that ACEVO and I have been pioneering in health and social care, carrying the baton for reform and change and new ways to deliver better services for citizens. It’s a boost to us as we continue to push for a bigger role for charities and social enterprises in delivery and in advocacy. The health sector is such a closed shop of those who work within the NHS that I was delighted to see recognition for our third sector.

And nice to note a number of others from the sector like ACEVO members Ciaran Devane (Macmillan Cancer Support) and Gillian Guy (Citizens Advice), though the charity section of the list was light on charity leaders. The 20 top influencers in the charity section were dominated by philanthropists like Branson, Elton John and Lord Sainsbury. I like to think I was holding the umbrella for our professional sector too!