Vinny Smith
Chief Executive Meningitis Research Foundation & Confederation | Meningitis Organisations
Bristol, UNITED KINGDOM
Vinny Smith leads MRF and CoMO is a member of the WHO Technical Task Force working to defeat meningitis by 2030.
Media
Publications:
Documents:
Videos:
Audio/Podcasts:
Biography
Since joining the MRF in 2015, Vinny has been instrumental in developing and launching a new brand identity, website and strategy. The Foundation has held governments to account on vaccine policy and called for and achieved a new World Health Organisation global task force for meningitis to 2030.
Previously, his roles include International Consultant, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Direct Marketing for organisations as diverse as Cancer Research UK and the African Center for Economic Transformation (Ghana). He is a business development professional, skilled in non-profit organisations, Marketing Management, Corporate Social Responsibility, Business Planning, and Social Enterprise.
Areas of Expertise (6)
Corporate Social Responsibility
Cancer Research
Global Health
Meningitis
Vaccine Policy
Marketing Management
Education (1)
University of York: Honours, Politics 1995
Affiliations (5)
- Technical Task Force Member of WHO ‘Defeating Meningitis by 2030’ initiative
- Steering Group Member, Global Meningococcal Initiative
- University of West of England Business Fellow
- Fellow of Royal Society of Arts and Manufacturers
- Board member Autistica
Links (2)
Media Appearances (5)
Schoolboy meningitis survivor fronts campaign to raise awareness of symptoms
Melton Times online
2019-12-30
Vinny Smith, chief executive of MRF thanked Jothi and his family for supporitng the winter fundraising and awareness campaign. He said: “While younger children, babies and teenagers are most vulnerable to meningitis, all ages are at risk. “Sadly we see even more individuals and families affected by it during winter, particularly around Christmas, but it can be difficult to recognise at first.
'I thought I had a common cold - days later I was in a coma fighting for my life'
i News online
2019-12-01
“Children and teenagers are most vulnerable, but all ages are at risk," said Vinny Smith, Chief Executive of MRF. "Sadly we see even more individuals and families affected by meningitis and septicaemia during winter, particularly around Christmas, but it can be difficult to recognise at first.
Mother of ‘amazing’ boy calls for more awareness of meningitis
Carrick Times online
2019-09-19
Vinny Smith, CEO of MRF, said: “We’re pleased that Ezra is doing so well. While many are aware that meningitis costs lives, fewer people know about the damage the disease can do to people’s long term health and their future. The cost to people can be immense, and sadly some never fully recover, so the right support is essential.
Meningitis: 'I'm no longer Miss Independent'
BBC online
2019-09-16
Vinny Smith of the Meningitis Research Foundation said: "While many are aware that meningitis costs lives, fewer people know about the damage the disease can do to people's long-term health and their future. "The cost to people can be immense and sadly some never fully recover, so the right support is essential."
Meningitis vaccine alert activated after years of being 'switched off'
Pulse Today online
2019-05-20
Meningitis Research Foundation chief executive Vinny Smith said: ‘It seems absurd to us that an emergency vaccination programme to protect young people against a lethal disease had systems in place that were switched off.
Social