New Trustees and non-Trustee committee members announced

We’re pleased to welcome four new Trustees and two non-Trustee Committee Members to Cancer Research UK.

Our governing Council of Trustees – led by Chair, Lord Simon Stevens – sets the charity’s strategic priorities and oversees performance, working in partnership with chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, and our wider team of scientists, clinicians, other staff and volunteers.

Our new appointees bring expertise in cancer research, UK universities, research funding and management, consumer marketing, retail, technology and digital transformation.

“I’m delighted to welcome Nancy, René, Kate and Mark who each bring a demonstrable track record of success in their respective fields. Their expertise and guidance will help Cancer Research UK continue to succeed as the world’s largest independent funder of cancer science”, said Lord Simon Stevens.

“We’re also pleased that Judy and Philippa are joining our People and Remuneration Committee as non-Trustee committee members, bringing their extensive experience as seasoned HR professionals.”

Bolstering our research leadership

To further advance our scientific and research leadership we have appointed two new Trustees with extensive expertise in these fields.

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell FRS

Until recently, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell was President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, where she holds a Chair in Physiology, with ongoing research interests in neuroscience.

“I was keen to become a Trustee of Cancer Research UK because it has already done so much to reduce the burden of cancer, and yet there is still so much more we can do,” said Dame Nancy.

“I hope that my experience of over 40 years as a researcher and 14 years as a Vice-Chancellor might help in some way.” As well as full Council, Dame Nancy will serve on our Research and People and Remuneration Committees.

Professor Dr. René Medema

Professor Medema is the Chief Scientific Officer of the Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology in the Netherlands. He was previously head of the Netherlands Cancer Institute, and his research aims to unravel the mechanisms that protect genomic integrity, and study how these are affected in cancer.

“The footprint of Cancer Research UK on cancer research, in and outside the UK has been enormous, so I consider it a great honour to play a small part in its mission.” said Professor Medema

As well as full Council, Professor Medema will serve on our Research and Audit committees. Our Audit Committee provides structured systematic oversight of the charity’s governance, risk management and internal controls.

Bringing expertise in consumer engagement, technology and digital transformation

With a trusted reputation for impact and integrity, the charity continues to inspire millions of people to support our mission by raising vital funds. Two of our new Trustees bring additional expertise to full Council and to our Fundraising and Marketing Committee, drawing on their personal track records of business transformation so that Cancer Research UK continues to evolve as an efficient, modern and sophisticated charity.

Mark Evans

Mark Evans brings a wealth of expertise in marketing, with over 25 years of executive leadership for some of the UK’s most successful consumer businesses.

Evans founded the ‘Sprintathon’ in 2016 which is a mass-relay marathon charity event that has so far raised £960k for of Cancer Research UK’s Stand Up To Cancer.

“I’m truly honoured to join Cancer Research UK as a Trustee. It really is such an impressive organisation,” said Evans.

“Having been a fundraiser via the Sprintathon it is wonderful to be able to make an even bigger contribution in the fight against cancer.”

Kate Smaje

Kate Smaje is a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, where she has dedicated over two decades to guiding consumer-focused enterprises through digitally enabled marketing, operational, and organisational transformations. Over the last decade she has also been a trustee of Tommy’s, the children’s charity at the heart of scientific research into baby loss.

Over the last decade she has also been a trustee of Tommy’s, the children’s charity at the heart of scientific research into baby loss.

“As a Trustee, I look forward to being able to help this amazing organisation to harness the power of data and technology to fund and accelerate these breakthroughs and make a difference to the lives of the, sadly, still many families affected by cancer,” said Smaje.

New non-Trustee Committee Members

As part of our governance, we also have several non-Trustee Committee Members who provide subject matter expertise and guidance to support the work of the Council’s Committees. Our two new non-Trustee Committee Members will contribute important HR experience to our People and Remuneration Committee.

Judy Parfitt

Judy Parfitt joined as a non-Trustee Committee member and has over 30 years’ experience as an HR professional. She is currently a practising Chief People Officer.

“It’s a privilege to serve a purpose and values-driven organisation that helps people live longer, better lives,” said Parfitt.

Philippa Kramer

Philippa Kramer is an HR executive and non-executive director with over 30 years of experience spanning science, industrial engineering, defence, banking, and IT consultancy. She also served as a Trustee for the National Charity the Outward Bound Trust for a decade.

“With my previous experience as a HR Director and Charitable Trustee, I enjoy helping to align organisation strategies with effective people initiatives that drive growth and positive outcomes, and I look forward to helping Cancer Research UK continue its vital work,” said Kramer.

Deputy Chair

Following the retirement from Council of the previous Deputy Chair, Professor Pamela Kearns has been appointed as our new Deputy Chair. She has served as a Trustee since 2021, and brings a wealth of personal experience in cancer research, most recently at the University of Birmingham.

All the above appointments have now taken effect. Our Trustees and non-Trustee Committee Members are all unremunerated volunteers, and are recruited following an open, competitive, and fair process.