Genetic Alliance UK has appointed Mark Flannagan, former chief of Beating Bowel Cancer, as its new chief executive.

Flannagan took up the role on 2 September from the charity’s former chief executive Louise Fish, who has stepped down to reduce her working hours and support her young family. 

Fish, who was recently appointed to a three-year term as the chair of NHS England’s Rare Diseases Advisory Group, will continue working at Genetic Alliance UK for two days a week during September to support the leadership transition and ensure continuity for members, staff and trustees.

The outgoing chief executive said: “We know that planning for succession and continuity is incredibly important for small charities like ours in the rare and genetic conditions sector. 

“I’m looking forward to supporting Mark during his first month at the charity and to watching Genetic Alliance UK thrive under his leadership in the years ahead.”

Flannagan was the chief executive of Beating Bowel Cancer – which has since merged with Bowel Cancer UK – for seven years until 2017.

Since 2017, he has been director of marketing and communications at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.

Genetic Alliance UK said Flannagan has “acted as a strong advocate for people with lived experience and their families throughout his career”.

Flannagan said: “I’m delighted to join Genetic Alliance UK at this vital time to drive implementation of the charity’s new five-year strategy to improve the lives of millions of people in the UK affected by genetic, rare and undiagnosed conditions. 

“I’m excited to meet our members, partners, trustees, staff and the wider community, and incredibly ambitious about what we will achieve by working together.”

Elizabeth Porterfield, chair of Genetic Alliance UK, said the charity was “thrilled with the number and high quality” of the applications it received during the recruitment process.

She said: “Mark stood out due to the breadth and depth of his experience, and we are very much looking forward to him joining us.”