Pinsent Masons' Fred Banning succumbs to cancer

Fred Banning, former head of corporate communications at Pinsent Masons, has died aged 40 after a long battle with cancer, the firm has announced.

Diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer shortly before the first Covid-19 lockdown, Banning was told that without medical intervention he would have only nine months to live. Treatment enabled him to extend that to more than three years, during which time he campaigned to prioritise Covid vaccination for the terminally ill, attracting widespread media coverage, and launched Fifth Day, a charity to allow business services professionals in the legal sector to offer pro bono help in the same way as solicitors and barristers. Fifth Day now advertises ways in which such non-lawyers can volunteer their services.

Hailing from the west of Scotland, Banning's career in public relations brought him to McGrigor Donald in 2010, two years before its merger with Pinsent Masons. In a tribute, Pinsent Masons said: "During his 13 years with the firm, he played an integral role in developing Pinsent Masons’ communications function, pioneering the use of brand and reputation as a strategic driver of change, and reimagining our digital strategy culminating in a progressive new website. He was considered a trusted advisor by successive leadership teams and his expertise was regularly sought on matters far beyond reputation."

Alastair Morrison, friend and board member, said: "The legal industry has lost an exceptional communicator, strategist and innovator, and we have lost a dear friend. Throughout his illness he was always delighted to offer his insights, advice and counsel and was always on top of change. Our thoughts and prayers are with Fred’s wife, Lesley, his two young sons Ollie and Charlie, and his family at this difficult time."