Breast Cancer Now has announced that former Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF) chair Claire Rowney will be its next chief executive.

Rowney is currently executive director of fundraising, marketing, strategy and innovation at Macmillan Cancer Support and joins Breast Cancer Now in September taking over from former government minister Delyth Morgan, who is retiring in June.

“I am over the moon to be joining Breast Cancer Now at this important point in time for people with breast cancer,” said Rowney, who also spent seven years until 2017 at Cancer Research UK in senior campaign, events and fundraising roles.

“I’m full of energy and passion to make a meaningful difference today and in the future for people with breast cancer, and to lead such an inspiring, focused and pioneering organisation.”

Breast Cancer Now chair Jill Thompson said: “Claire is a highly strategic leader with extensive director level experience within the cancer charity sector.

She added that Rowney that “brings not only a strong understanding and belief in our commitment to being there for everyone affected by breast cancer, but also huge enthusiasm, energy and drive to make this happen”.

Rowney was chair of the CIoF for a year until July 2021. She stepped down amid a long running scandal over the fundraising organisation’s handling of sexual harassment complaints.

She said at the time that quitting the CIoF’s board was “the right thing to do for the organisation and for me personally” adding that “fresh leadership” will “enable the organisation to finally move forward”.

She had been a trustee at the CIoF since 2018.

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