Macmillan Cancer Support has appointed its first chief and people culture officer as it looks to improve its equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) processes two years after a damning report into the experiences of disabled and global majority people at the charity.

Francesca Okosi, who has worked in senior public sector human resources positions for almost 30 years, has been appointed to the role.

She joins from NHS North East London where she had held the same role for the last two years.

Until 2008 she spent five years at the government’s Department for Food and Rural Affairs, including a two-year stint as its director of people and performance.

She is also a former executive director of people and organisational effectiveness at the Nursing and Midwifery Council and director of people at the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Her appointment has been made two years after the charity issued an apology following an internally commissioned report that found the charity had “fallen short both in culture and processes” in its treatment of disabled and global majority staff.

“There is no doubt that the findings of this review make for painful reading, and we are profoundly sorry that anyone has ever suffered a distressing or harmful experience at Macmillan,” said the charity at the time.

Okosi’s role sits on the charity’s executive team.

“The needs of people with cancer are changing, and the world of work has also changed rapidly in the past few years,” she said.

“Colleagues need and want different things to be able to do their best work. As Macmillan transforms to meet the changing needs of people with cancer, I am looking forward to working with colleagues to build our culture around a strong foundation of equity, diversity and inclusion.

“We need a team that is ready to transform cancer care for the future, supported by a culture which enables all colleagues – whoever they are, and whatever their aspirations – to thrive.”

Macmillan chief executive Gemma Peters added: “There are more than 3 million people living with cancer in the UK and that number is continuing to rise, with people facing ever more complex challenges in getting the care they need.

“Macmillan has a huge role to play in meeting these challenges head on and to do it we’ll need a culture which all our brilliant colleagues feel part of, and which empowers them to do the best work of their career.

“We know from colleagues that we have work to do here and having a member of our executive team focused on shaping that culture is a transformative step for us. I’m delighted to welcome Francesca and the fresh perspective she brings to our leadership team.”

Okosi added that she has a personal connection to the charity as she was supported by a Macmillan Nurse when she was treated for cancer.

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