About Mike

Meet Mike O’Donovan

The MS Society’s Chief Executive talks about his background and his vision of the Society’s future.

Tell us about your previous career.

I was an all-round businessman, a marketeer by background and worked in the consumer healthcare industry for 30 years. I started at Beecham’s toiletries and household products division, working my way up to MD. I also worked abroad as Regional Director in the Far East and ran merger teams for both the SmithKlineBeecham and GlaxoSmithKline mergers. I was four months shy of 30 years service when I left.

How did you become involved with the MS Society?

My youngest son was diagnosed with MS in 1994 when he was 17. We went to our local branch to get information and support. My son and my wife joined the branch, but I became a national member. We all became very active in fundraising, raising thousands of pounds organising sponsored parachute jumps. When the first national member trustee elections were announced I put myself forward and, much to my surprise, was elected.

What do you bring to the role of chief executive?

I’ve got a good capacity to see the wood for the trees and see it as my task to make sure the MS Society has clear priorities and acheives them as efficiently as possible.

How does the charity world differ from the corporate world?

Like all large charities, the MS Society is an organisation with objectives and targets that need to be met. I like the fact my job is now more hands on, that I can get to know everybody. I also like the fact that the MS Society is diverse and my staff are motivated and enthusiastic. The biggest difference is that we’re not here to make money, but to spend as much as is sensible and prudent to improve the lives of people with MS.

Who is Mike O’Donovan when he isn’t at work?

I’m married with three grown-up sons. Our son with MS now lives independently but my wife and I are still involved in his care. I don’t have a lot of time for hobbies, but I like to keep fit and I’m also interested in modern history. I recently picked up a guitar again after many years of not playing and hope I’ll get better. I also support Tottenham Hotspur, which isn’t a sad place to be these days!

What is your personal vision for the future of the MS Society?

I’d like to think that by the time my tenure is over the MS Society will be the ‘first call’ for people with MS, the place everybody will come for support, advice and partnership, and that we can help more people. For me, it’s a quality issue – the better we are, the more relevant we are, the more we can achieve.