Steve Clark appointed Chair of the ISPEP Advisory Board

ISPEP today announced the appointment of Steve Clark, Global Leader in Patient Advocacy and Founder of Strive for Five and Beyond, as Chair of the ISPEP Advisory Board, effective immediately.

Clark brings extensive experience in global patient advocacy, health policy, and cancer awareness initiatives. As the founder of Strive for Five and Beyond, he has championed improved cancer outcomes and patient-centred policy, working to raise awareness and drive change in cancer care. He is also a passionate advocate for improving physician–patient communication, campaigning for more open, effective dialogue between healthcare professionals and patients — an area of focus that aligns closely with ISPEP’s commitment to meaningful engagement and will help inform and strengthen future ISPEP campaigns.

His appointment reflects ISPEP’s continued commitment to strengthening and elevating patient engagement practices across healthcare and supporting the global community of Patient Engagement Professionals who are working to ensure that patients are meaningfully involved in healthcare decision-making, research, and innovation.

As Chair of the Advisory Board, Steve will work closely with ISPEP leadership and board members to guide strategic priorities, strengthen the organisation’s work to advance best practice in patient engagement, and support professionals across the field in developing their expertise and career progression.

Emma Sutcliffe, Chief Patient Officer at ISPEP, welcomed the appointment:

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Steve as Chair of the ISPEP Advisory Board. His leadership in global patient advocacy and his unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for people living with cancer align perfectly with ISPEP’s mission. ISPEP exists to elevate patient engagement practices and to support Patient Engagement Professionals in delivering meaningful, high-quality engagement while developing their own professional capabilities. I am very much looking forward to working alongside Steve and our Advisory Board colleagues as we continue to strengthen this global community and expand our impact during what is already proving to be a year of sustained growth for the organisation.”

Alexandra Charge, Chief Executive Officer of ISPEP, added:

“Steve’s appointment comes at an important moment for ISPEP as we continue to grow and expand our work supporting Patient Engagement Professionals across the healthcare ecosystem. His insight, leadership and passion for ensuring that patients are genuinely heard in healthcare decision-making will be invaluable. We are thrilled to be co-delivering the vision and mission of ISPEP with Steve and the wider Advisory Board as we continue to build momentum and support the advancement of patient engagement as a recognised and valued professional discipline.”

Commenting on his appointment, Steve Clark said:

“It is a privilege to join ISPEP as Chair of the Advisory Board at such an exciting time for the organisation. The work ISPEP is doing to strengthen patient engagement practices and support the professionals leading this work is incredibly important. I look forward to working with Alexandra, Emma and the Advisory Board to help advance ISPEP’s mission and ensure that patient engagement continues to grow as a respected and impactful field across healthcare.”

This appointment marks an important step in ISPEP’s continued development and reinforces the organisation’s commitment to supporting those working in patient engagement while championing best practice that ensures patients are meaningfully involved in shaping healthcare systems, research, and innovation.

ISPEP would also like to extend sincere thanks to Zoe Healey for her valued contribution and support of the Advisory Board to date. Zoe has played an important role in helping to guide and strengthen the Board’s work, and we wish her every success and happiness as she embarks on her move to Australia.