New Chief Executive appointed

Britain’s leading charity, Cancer Research UK, has appointed Professor Alex Markham as its new Chief Executive, with effect from September 2003.

Professor Markham (52) is Director of the Molecular Medicines Unit at Leeds University, Honorary Consultant Physician at the Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust and an advisor to the Department of Health via the Committee of Safety of Medicines and the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee.

He has also held senior advisory roles for the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust, has extensive management experience in the pharmaceutical industry and is considered a leader in UK genetic research.

The Mancunian father of two replaces Sir Paul Nurse, who is departing for Rockefeller University in New York. Sir Paul says: “Alex brings a range of experience important for the leadership of Cancer Research UK, as a clinical scientist, research manager and fundraiser, working in both medical school and industrial environments. I welcome him and wish him all the best as leader of the charity.”

Professor Markham says: “It’s an honour and a privilege to have been chosen to lead Cancer Research UK – the world’s largest independent cancer research organisation – and help make the promises of merger a reality. My job will be to maintain the charity’s world class research and build on recent advances to take new knowledge into the clinic for the benefit of cancer patients.”

ENDS