Breast Cancer Now has confirmed it will make 45 staff redundant following a consultation.

The charity announced in June that it was considering cutting 60 jobs to tackle a 34% drop in income due to the Covid-19 crisis.

A consultation was carried out and the charity has confirmed that it “now had regrettably made 45 redundancies across the charity, in order to help meet the required cost savings”.

In addition to the job losses the charity is to close its Edinburgh office. The time of the closure has yet to be finalized. Its offices in London, Sheffield, Cardiff and Glasgow will remain open.

As part of its reorganisation Breast Cancer Now will also make changes to its senior leadership team.

This involves the creation of three directorates: fundraising, communications and engagement, led by Rachael Franklin; research, support and influencing, led by Dr Simon Vincent; and corporate services, led by Chay Champness.

Meanwhile, Dr Emma Pennery takes on the newly created non-executive ambassadorial role of clinical director for the charity. This focuses predominantly on engaging with health professionals, government, the media and other stakeholders.

Breast Cancer Now will continue to be led by its chief executive Baroness Delyth Morgan.

“Difficult decisions”

“At a time where the need for our work for people affected by breast cancer has never been greater, we have been forced to make some extremely difficult decisions to ensure we can continue our world-class research and life-changing support services,” said Morgan.

“As part of this, following a staff consultation, we have now sadly said goodbye to 45 valued colleagues as a result of redundancy, as well taking the decision to close one of our offices in Scotland.

“It has been a very tough period of change for all our brilliant staff, who have all continued to show such professionalism, resilience and patience, and a continued commitment to the charity despite the challenging circumstances.

“We know we are not alone in the sector in needing to make significant changes to the way we work as we navigate the continuing uncertainty the pandemic brings. However, despite the changes and uncertain future for the sector and wider world, one certainty for us remains. We know that people affected by breast cancer need us now more than ever before, and so our commitment to our vision remains; we will continue to tirelessly work towards our vision that by 2050, everyone who develops breast cancer will live and will be supported to live well.”

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