Mike Morrissey to lead ECCO secretariat

Following the recent search for a new Chief Executive by the European CanCer Organisation (ECCO), we announce the appointment of Mike Morrissey to lead ECCO through its next Strategic Plan period 2020-23 and beyond.

Mike, who is currently Chief Operating Officer of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), has a respected track record in leading and re-energising international not-for-profit organisations in the health and other policy sectors. He has served in various leadership roles and brings with him over 20 years of experience in association management. Mike is recognised for developing and managing global collaborations as well as for supporting strategic leadership and operational implementation. 

Prior to joining the ESC in 2016, Mike was Executive Vice President & Chief Global Officer at the International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC) and Managing Director of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA).  Mike’s early career was as one of the leading tennis officials in the world when he worked for the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and umpired many finals at Grand Slam and Davis Cup events.  Mike’s services for ECCO will be secured through his new management company.

ECCO President Philip Poortmans said: “Mike’s impressive record in overseeing significant change management programmes, successfully implementing major projects and initiatives, and ensuring effective international collaboration make him the right person to lead ECCO in this exciting period for EU cancer policy. On behalf of ECCO and its members we warmly welcome him to the role and look forward to working with him in further pursuance of the ECCO guiding mission: to improve outcomes for cancer patients through multiprofessionalism, multidisciplinarity and patient-centricity”.

Mike Morrissey said: “I am honoured to have been chosen for this very important work and I am looking forward to bringing my experience of working at ESC and other not-for-profit organisations to ECCO.  In the coming weeks, I would like to engage with all ECCO member societies and other important stakeholders to listen to their issues and ideas, as well as being available to facilitate with the ECCO Executive and other Committees, Board of Directors and staff a positive new phase in ECCO’s journey, for the benefit of all European cancer patients.”