What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Normally hearing the dog wanting to be let outside! But beyond that, I know I’m lucky to enjoy what I do and look forward to the constant variety contained within my role, genuinely not knowing what each day holds.

What’s the best thing about working in healthcare comms?
I love how we translate complex and inaccessible topics into digestible communications for the general public. Health literacy has never been more important than it is today, and I feel that, along with my teams, I play a small but important role in helping people take a more active role in their own health decisions.

What’s the worst thing about working in healthcare comms?
Probably that, as an industry and also as a career choice, healthcare comms is still relatively unknown. This is slowly changing, but we all need to do more to make people recognise what we do and encourage more people to work in the field.

What’s your favourite bar or eatery?
Anywhere high-up with a view of the London skyline is my choice for a drink or food. SushiSamba in the Heron Tower never fails to deliver... But that would be for a special treat obviously, not every day!

Which book/film would you recommend above all others and why?
I was never really an avid reader of fiction until I read one book which changed me, and is still the best I have ever read – Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks. The story and the writing blew me away, and it is still the only book I have ever read twice. A must if you haven’t read it already.

Which buzzwords/office-jargon get on your nerves?
Many could make the list, but ‘reach out’ is probably the most annoying. To me, we should only use ‘buzzwords’ as shortcuts that make our point clearer. In the case of ‘reach out’, the normal alternatives, ‘contact’ or ‘speak to’, are both better, shorter ways of saying this!

Lviv railway station, Ukraine

Which person, living or dead, do you admire the most and why?
If I can say not one person, but a whole nation, it’s hard at the moment to think of any more admirable and courageous people than those of Ukraine. Their resolve and determination has been nothing short of remarkable and inspiring.

Who is your healthcare comms hero/heroine?
She would hate me saying this, but this would have to be Gloria Gibbons, who for many years was my boss and mentor as I grew in healthcare comms. Gloria had the most amazing way of making you believe in yourself, stretching you while continually supporting you. She is also a huge amount of fun to be around!

What has been your career highlight to date?
It’s hard to say. But being runner-up in our office Christmas party’s version of ‘Strictly’ a few years back, dancing a fine American Smooth with my FD as partner, is probably up there!

What’s your golden rule/piece of advice for someone starting a career in healthcare comms?
Keep pushing yourself forward. No-one will champion you as much as you can yourself, and there are endless opportunities to grow and develop in this career.

Matt de Gruchy is Chief Executive, Health at Four Health