BLOOD CANCER - Key Persons
Ally spent 21 years as a firefighter but in 2008 he was diagnosed with a blood cancer (myelodysplasia) and had to retire from the job he loved in 2014.
Job Titles:
- Head of Sustainability
- Trustee
- Sustainability Expert
Amir is Head of Sustainability and ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) at MS Amlin, the Lloyd's global specialty (re)insurer (part of the Mitsui Sumito Insurance Group).
Amir is a sustainability expert and change agent. Coming from a Big 4 consulting background, he has a track record in designing and implementing innovative, commercial and sustainable solutions. Amir joined MS Amlin in 2021, into a newly created role, signalling the business's investment in ESG. Under his leadership, MS Amlin has committed to net zero 2050 and focused on fair and inclusive transition that reflects the needs of MS Amlin's clients, shareholder, employees and communities.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences
- Professor of Childhood Cancer Cytogenetics at Newcastle University
Christine is Professor of Childhood Cancer Cytogenetics at Newcastle University, with 40 years' experience in genetics of leukaemia and lymphoma.
Christine is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. She has been a Researcher and Ambassador of Blood Cancer UK for the last 30 years, leading international projects towards improving therapy, particularly for children with leukaemia.
Professor Claire Harrison graduated from Oxford University Medical School and became a consultant at the Guy's and St Thomas Hospital in 2001, where she is now a deputy chief medical officer with specific responsibilities for research, data and analytics.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Associate of Lord Sugar
Claude is a successful entrepreneur and investor with 50 years' experience. He specialises in distressed companies and has been involved in numerous corporate turnarounds throughout Europe and the States.
Claude acquired and later floated Powerleague plc, was Chairman of ASCO plc and deputy chairman of Blacks Leisure plc.
Claude is a long-time business associate of Lord Sugar, and has served as chairman of a number of his companies. Claude came to prominence as the tough interviewer on BBC 1's ‘The Apprentice', as well as sitting alongside Karren Brady, as Lord Sugar's ‘eyes and ears' on the show. He also served as Chief Executive of Tottenham Hotspur plc when Lord Sugar was Chairman.
Fraser has supported the charity as a co-opted member of the Finance & Risk Committee since January 2021 and joined the Board in May 2023. He is a Chartered Accountant and is currently a Partner with PwC.
Helen became Interim CEO in November 2022 and CEO of Blood Cancer UK in January 2023.
Jasmine joined the Board in January 2021. She is a full-time MSc Cancer student at University College London, having previously completed her undergraduate degree specialising in Neurobiology at the University of Cambridge
Jules has more than 20 years' experience in senior management roles in the charity sector and is currently chief executive of Pause, a charity working with vulnerable women.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Organisational Effectiveness
Lisa Freshwater joined the charity as Director of Organisational Effectiveness in March 2018.
Louise joined our Board in January 2021 and has worked in the not-for-profit sector for most of career.
Inspired by youth volunteering and the desire to have a positive impact in her profession, Louise has worked both on the charity and agency side. Louise is Transformation Director at Manifesto, helping transform not-for-profit organisations; from their culture and organisational design to their technology and digital capabilities to drive sustainable change.
She has a wealth of experience working across UK and International Charity programmes at a strategic level spanning a multitude of areas including strategy, fundraising, brand, innovation, advocacy and campaigning. Alongside this, she is a professional mentor and founded a global mentoring community to support women in the social good space.
Matt joined Blood Cancer UK in August 2021 as Director of Fundraising.
Matthew Wilson became our chair in early 2024 and brings many years of leadership experience from the insurance industry to his role.
In 2021, Matthew Wilson was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Following treatment he stepped down as CEO of Brit Insurance and later that year founded the Matthew Wilson Multiple Myeloma Fund for our charity.
Matthew is an advocate for all blood cancers and became our chair in early 2024 after an independent and robust recruitment process. He brings extensive leadership experience from his 35 year career in the insurance sector, where he was Chairman of Ki Insurance, as well as serving on the boards of Brit Limited, Brit Syndicates Limited, and Ki Financial.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Certified Accountant
- Director of Finance
- Fellow
Nils joined Blood Cancer UK in May 2019 as Director of Finance.
Prior to joining Blood Cancer UK, Nils was Head of Planning & Reporting at the British Heart Foundation and before that, Lead Business Partner at the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID). Nils discovered his passion for the charity sector when volunteering as Finance Manager in Borneo, Malaysia, for Raleigh International. Before embarking on a career in charity finance, Nils worked as a professional cellist travelling all over Europe.
Nils is a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) and holds degrees in Accountancy from the University of South Australia and in Music from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague.
Steve has been a volunteer for Blood Cancer UK for 24 years, starting as a member of his local branch after going into remission from acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL).
Job Titles:
- Chartered Accountant
- Trustee
- Vice - Chair
Tim is a Chartered Accountant, with 30 years' experience in the financial services and investments industry.
Most recently Tim spent 13 years at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, initially as Chief Financial Officer, then Chief Operating Officer and finally as interim Chief Executive Officer. Tim is also Director of TR Property Investment Trust PLC and of Henderson Global Investors Limited.