IN PROFILE
Craig Jones
Chief Executive Officer , Royal Osteoporosis Society
Craig Jones is Chief Executive Officer at the Royal Osteoporosis Society ( ROS ), a role he has held for the last three years , joining just as the pandemic hit in March 2020 .
Craig has a fascinating background . Prior to his time at ROS , he was Director of Communications for the Advertising Standards Authority ( ASA ), and also Head of Communications for UK Payments - the membership association representing the UK Banks ’ credit and debit card businesses . He was a Ministerial Communications Specialist for Harriet Harman ( who was then Deputy Labour Leader ), a Campaigns Director for charity 4Children and practiced as a Barrister for over two years .
As the ROS celebrates its return to Bath , we met Craig to find out more about him and the charity ’ s plans for 2023 and beyond .
“ Together we can make a difference to those affected in Bath , the South West and across the UK .”
What ’ s clear from your history is your passion for public policy , legal research and improving standards for good . Where did that come from ?
The great thing about charities is that they change and improve lives . This motivates me much more than contributing to a bottom line . Osteoporosis is one of the most urgent threats to people living well in later life . It ’ s also one of the most fixable problems in healthcare , if we change the way we do things . We can do so much good here . We all have mothers and grandmothers and this is about transforming their experience of later life .
What has been your biggest learning on your career journey so far ?
The most effective organisations – be they charities or companies – are focused and specialised . You shouldn ’ t try to be all things to all people . Decide what you want to be famous for . Do fewer things but do them really well .
After spending nearly five years with the ASA , what was it that attracted you back to the charity sector and working with ROS ?
I ’ m motivated by finding solutions to challenging societal problems . Improving people ’ s health , when the NHS is facing such a crisis , is a chance to make a contribution to changing and improving lives . By the time I came to ROS I ’ d spent three years as a Board member at the Royal College of Anaesthetists and at the National Organ Donation Committee at NHS Blood and Transplant , so I ’ d already got to grips with the health sector and its enormous challenges and opportunities .
You joined the team at a very difficult time . How did the charity operate during the pandemic ?
For health charities , the pandemic brought record demand for support services at the same time as the fundraising climate became tougher than ever . We worked hard to generate income so we could make sure people who were struggling to access NHS services had somewhere to turn . For example , we grew our Helpline and started delivering more support digitally . But this unprecedented demand is huge – 300 calls to our Helpline every month are going unanswered . That ’ s why we want to seek out new partnerships to help us grow our impact and step up to meet the enormous challenges of the post-pandemic environment .
Did the pandemic ignite the changes we ’ re seeing now ?
Hybrid working offers organisations huge opportunities to increase their impact , and the pandemic accelerated the rise of mixed home and office working . We had a rural office that could accommodate 90 people , but our team of 60 want to work from home at least half the time . That meant we could sell our building and move to a better-connected city centre location . We changed the emphasis from bricks and mortar to people and services . This allowed us to modernise our support services , double our spending on research grants and invest more in employee development so our people can become the best at what they do .
What are the charity ’ s main priorities this year and beyond ?
There are six strands to our work .
1 ) Public Awareness In 2022 , we launched our 5-minute online osteoporosis risk checker for members of the public to inform themselves about their own bone health and risk of fractures . Used 50,000 times since its launch , we encourage everyone to check their risk at theros . org . uk / risk-checker
2 ) Life-changing free expert support through our Nurses Helpline Our Helpline receives 13,000 calls per year . Each call is answered by a fully qualified specialist nurse who provides clinical guidance around diagnosis , treatment , pain management and exercise . They also offer invaluable emotional support to people who might otherwise feel alone .
3 ) Information The ROS provides a comprehensive range of free information resources , fact sheets , booklets and videos – at theros . org . uk . We also provide a magazine and e-newsletter for members .
4 ) Networks We provide information to people through our network of local ROS Support Groups . Led by volunteers , these offer invaluable peer to peer support for people who need it . In 2023 we want to increase this network – including to support the setting up of groups serving BANES , Somerset and Wiltshire residents .
5 ) Ground-breaking research The ROS has driven breakthroughs in bone health research by funding £ 6 million of research in this area since 1986 . While we hope for a future cure , current allocations are focused on initiatives that can help to close the ‘ care gap ’ – the number of people who need treatment and are not getting it . Through this research , we want to ensure that people who need it are diagnosed and treated at the earliest opportunity , sparing them the pain of life-changing fractures .
6 ) Influencing policy The vast majority of health spending on osteoporosis is currently on care for fracture patients , rather than on prevention . Hip fracture patients require a million hospital bed days and 123,000 hours of theatre time every year . Yet many of these fractures are preventable with a timely diagnosis . That ’ s why we ’ re influencing policy change at the highest levels , including launching two high-profile Inquiry reports in Parliament . We won ’ t stop until we see more investment in fracture prevention and an end to the postcode lottery for osteoporosis care across the UK .
How can people reading this get involved with your work ?
Together we can make a difference for those affected now and , in the future , in Bath , the South West and across the UK . Here are just a few ways :
Partner with us Whether you ’ re considering a corporate partnership , a research collaboration , or ways to engage your customers , patients of community with their bone health , contact us : info @ theros . org . uk / 01761 473287 .
Fundraise to make a difference Our impact is entirely dependent on people ’ s generosity . From London Marathon places to great ideas to have fun and raise money with friends , family and colleagues , we ’ d love to hear from you : fundraising @ theros . org . uk / 01761 473287 .
Volunteer your time Could you spare time to support others or share your experiences ? People in BANES , Somerset and much of Wiltshire do not currently have a ROS Support Group . We want to get information and emotional support to people , especially those who have not typically come to us : volunteerengagement @ theros . org . uk / 01761 473113
To find out more about our work including upcoming events and webinars , ROS membership and expert information for the public and healthcare professionals , find out more at : www . theros . org . uk or email : info @ theros . org . uk
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2023 49