Professor Alex Markham to step down as Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK

Cancer Research UK today (Wednesday 29 November 2006) announced that Professor Alex Markham, the Charity’s Chief Executive, would be stepping down in Spring 2007 to return to the University of Leeds, from where he will have been on secondment to Cancer Research UK for the last three and a half years.

David Newbigging, Chairman of Cancer Research UK, said: “We are all enormously grateful to Alex, who has done so much for the cancer community and for Cancer Research UK during his time as Chief Executive. We are sad to see him go but respect his wish to return to full-time academic and clinical work in Leeds.Under Alex’s leadership, Cancer Research UK has enjoyed enormous success, growing in size, stature and scope during his time as Chief Executive.”

“Alex has acted as an ambassador for the whole cancer community, as a Chair of the National Cancer Research Institute and as one of the leading advocates for the introduction of smokefree legislation across the UK, as well as the new national bowel cancer screening programme.”

Alex Markham said: “It has been a great privilege to serve the cancer community and Cancer Research UK and an absolute pleasure to work with so many talented volunteers and members of staff. I believe we are now making great strides in cancer research and I am optimistic that there will be even greater progress made by our own scientists and better treatment for patients in the years to come.”

“However, there is no room for complacency and I am sure that Cancer Research UK will ensure that the pace of progress continues and that our patient community across the UK has access to the best possible treatment and care available.”

The Council’s process for identifying a successor to Professor Markham is underway and a further announcement will be made in due course.

ENDS

For more information call Steve Palmer or Nick Stewart in the Cancer Research UK press office on 020 7061 8300.