New Trustees announced as Cancer Research UK strengthens research and governance leadership

We’re pleased to welcome three new Trustees to Cancer Research UK and announce two committee leadership appointments to support the charity’s governance and scientific activities.

Our governing Council of Trustees, led by Chair Lord Simon Stevens, sets Cancer Research UK’s priorities and oversees performance, working in partnership with chief executive Michelle Mitchell and our wider community of staff, scientists, clinicians and volunteers.

“I’m delighted to welcome Sarah Whitney, Professor Iain McNeish and Hans Bishop as new Trustees of Cancer Research UK,” says Lord Stevens.

“Iain is a highly respected cancer researcher and clinical leader whose insight will help shape our research ambitions for the future. Sarah’s extensive experience helping large, complex organisations navigate risk and deliver strong governance will be a tremendous asset to the charity. Hans is already a non-executive director of Cancer Research Horizons, and now he’ll be able to use his experience as a biotech entrepreneur to help the wider charity drive progress.

“I’m also pleased that Professor René Medema will become Chair of our Research Committee later this year. René has already made an important contribution since becoming a Trustee, drawing on his scientific leadership and international perspective.

“Together, they add valuable experience and perspective to our Council and will help Cancer Research UK continue to drive progress for people affected by cancer.”

New Trustee – Professor Iain McNeish

Professor Iain McNeish will join Cancer Research UK as a Trustee in October and will serve on the Research and Finance Committees.

McNeish is Professor of Oncology and Head of the Division of Cancer at Imperial College London, as well as co-director of Imperial’s School of Convergence Science in Health and Technology. He’s also Director of the Ovarian Cancer Action Research Centre and holds several national and international leadership roles in cancer research.

After training in medicine at the University of Oxford, he undertook postgraduate training in Glasgow, Birmingham and London before holding senior academic positions in both Glasgow and London.

His research focuses on developing better therapies for ovarian cancer through a deeper understanding of disease biology.

Alongside his research, McNeish is passionate about supporting the next generation of cancer researchers. He’s currently a Trustee of Worldwide Cancer Research and serves on a number of research funding and advisory panels.

The Research Committee oversees the development and delivery of Cancer Research UK’s research strategy and provides advice to the Council of Trustees on scientific priorities, partnerships and emerging opportunities in cancer research.

“Cancer Research UK plays a vital role in this country, not only funding the highest quality research but also identifying areas of unmet need and training leaders of the future,” says McNeish. “As a translational and clinical researcher, I have benefitted greatly from Cancer Research UK funding over many years, and I felt it was time to return the favour. I am honoured to have been appointed as a trustee and look forward to playing my part in supporting Cancer Research UK’s work.”

New trustee – Sarah Whitney

Sarah Whitney joined Cancer Research UK as a Trustee in May this year and will become Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee (ARC) in October, when Joanne Shaw’s term comes to an end. She will also join the Nomination and Governance Committee.

A Chartered Accountant and experienced non-executive director, Whitney has built a distinguished career across the charitable, higher education, regulated and FTSE-listed sectors. She has extensive experience of governance, financial stewardship and risk management, including chairing audit committees and overseeing major transformation programmes.

Whitney currently serves as Chair Designate of International Public Partnerships, Senior Independent Director at Bellway plc, and is a non-executive director at both JP Morgan Global Growth & Income plc and Regional REIT. She has served on the Council of University College London since 2016, most recently as Treasurer.

“It’s a privilege to have joined Cancer Research UK as a Trustee and help the charity continue its vital work to drive progress for people affected by cancer and their loved ones,” says Whitney. “I’m looking forward to working alongside my fellow Trustees to support Cancer Research UK’s ambitions and help ensure the organisation remains well placed to deliver lasting impact in the years ahead.”  

Whitney currently serves as Chair Designate of International Public Partnerships, Senior Independent Director at Bellway plc, and a non-executive director at JP Morgan Global Growth & Income plc and Regional REIT. She also chairs the Audit Committee at University College London and serves on several governance bodies supporting the university’s strategic direction.

Her family has been affected by cancer, giving her a strong personal connection to Cancer Research UK’s mission.

The Audit & Risk Committee provides oversight of the charity’s governance, risk management and internal controls, helping ensure Cancer Research UK can continue to deliver its objectives effectively and responsibly.

New Trustee – Hans Bishop

Image of a man with glasses against a grey background

Hans Bishop, who currently serves as a non-executive director of Cancer Research Horizons, will also become a Trustee of Cancer Research UK in October. He will also join the Research Committee.

Bishop is a Biotech entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience driving transformative advancements in the field of cancer treatment. He is currently the President and Board Co-Chair of Altos Labs, a company he co-founded to reverse disease by restoring cell health.

Previously, Bishop served as the CEO of GRAIL, creator of the multi cancer early detection Galleri test. In 2013, he co-founded Juno Therapeutics, a company that dedicated to treating various types of cancer using immunotherapies. He served as President and CEO until 2018, when the company was acquired by Celgene.

Hans also serves as the Chairman of Sana Biotechnology’s Board of Directors and held previous board roles at Agilent Technologies and Lyell Immunopharma.

New chair of Research Committee – Professor Dr René Medema

Professor Dr René Medema, who joined Cancer Research UK as a Trustee in February 2025, will become Chair of the Research Committee in October, succeeding Professor Nic Jones at the end of his term.

Medema is Chief Scientific Officer at the Princess Máxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology in the Netherlands and is internationally recognised for his research into the mechanisms that protect DNA and how they are altered in cancer.

Over the course of his career, he has held senior scientific leadership roles at the Netherlands Cancer Institute and Utrecht University and has received numerous honours for his contribution to cancer science.

“It’s a privilege to take on the role of Chair of the Cancer Research UK Research Committee,” says Medema. “The pace of discovery in cancer research has never been greater, and I look forward to working with colleagues to help ensure we continue to fund the bold, rigorous research that will improve outcomes for people affected by cancer.”

As Chair of the Research Committee, he will help guide Cancer Research UK’s world-leading research portfolio and support the continued delivery of the charity’s research strategy.

Appointment process

The new Trustee appointments followed Cancer Research UK’s usual open, transparent and competitive recruitment process. Their appointments, made on merit, will be subject to ratification by Cancer Research UK members at the 2026 Annual General Meeting.

Cancer Research UK’s Trustees are unremunerated volunteers who bring a wide range of expertise and experience to support the charity’s mission of beating cancer through research, influence and information.

We’d like to thank Joanne Shaw and Professor Nic Jones for their leadership of the Audit & Risk Committee and Research Committee, respectively.