Chris Harrison – Secretary

Chris Harrison became a trustee and honorary secretary of the Orwell Society at the AGM in May 2023. He was previously the society’s online events officer.

Chris is a semi-retired doctor whose current professional focus is on corporate governance and strategy at The Christie Hospital, in Manchester where he is an executive director and at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton where he is a non-executive director and chair of the quality assurance committee. Before retirement he held a series of regional, national and international healthcare leadership roles, including being national clinical director for cancer in England from 2016 to 2019. He retains an honorary professorship at the University of Manchester and continues to write and teach on NHS related subjects, especially the organisation and quality assurance of cancer care.

In his spare time Chris enjoys reading (Orwell and related matters), watching cricket at Lancashire, and travelling. He also has an interest in wine and wine tasting having achieved several professional wine industry qualifications. He is married to Janet is the managing director and founder of the People’s Choice Drinks Awards, two national drinks competitions for wines and spirits and the only awards to involve consumers in the judging process.

He has always enjoyed Orwell’s writing but was prompted by lock down to read Orwell’s work more systematically and to reflect on its current relevance. He strongly supports the society’s objective of raising public awareness of Orwell and his work.