Former chief executive of NHS England Lord Simon Stevens has been appointed by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) to chair its board.
He is to take on the role in October and replaces Leszek Borysiewicz, who is stepping down after almost seven years in the role.
Stevens stood down as NHS chief executive, after more than seven years leading the organisation, in 2021 and became an independent crossbench member of the House of Lords in the same year.
He has worked in the health sector for three decades, including stints at the Department of Health and as a policy advisor 10 Downing Street during Tony Blair’s premiership.
From 1998 he spent four years as a Labour councillor in Lambeth and has been a senior executive at private health firm UnitedHealth Group.
“Having worked alongside Cancer Research UK over a number of years, I’ve long admired the charity’s exceptional leadership in advancing the frontiers of cancer science and care,” said Stevens.
“My family - like so many others - has been touched by cancer, and we’ve seen first hand the amazing progress in modern cancer therapies.
“It’ll therefore be a privilege as incoming chair of the council of trustees to help support Cancer Research UK’s inspirational scientists, clinicians, staff and volunteers as the organisation delivers its new strategy for the coming decade.”
Prof Sir Leszek Borysiewicz will step down as Chair of Council of Trustees in October. Borys, as he’s fondly known, has been in the role since November 2016.
— Cancer Research UK (@CR_UK) March 28, 2023
Lord Simon Stevens, former chief executive of @NHSEngland, will succeed him in the role. https://t.co/zvMd4a6aTL
The charity’s CEO Michelle Mitchell added: “On behalf of the Trustees, staff, volunteers and supporters of the charity, I would like to share my gratitude for the outstanding contribution that Sir Leszek has made during his tenure and for the incredible personal support and encouragement he has given to me and many of the team at CRUK.
“We look forward to welcoming Simon to CRUK and working with him to implement our exciting new strategy."
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