Macmillan’s top roles overseeing finance and operations have been merged into one post.

Karen Watson has been appointed as the charity’s first finance and operations officer, within its executive strategy team.

She takes over from chief financial officer Steve Clayton, who has “recently left the organisation”, according to a Macmillan spokesperson.

She also replaces chief operations officer Simon Phillips, who in January became chief executive of addiction charity With You.

“Karen joining as chief finance and operations officer brings together and acknowledges the significant overlap between our finance and operational functions,” said the spokesperson.

Watson joined in February and had previously spent four years as chief finance officer and chief operating officer at English National Opera.

She is also a former director of content strategy and production at Sky, where she spent a decade in senior roles including commercial and finance director of its entertainment output.

In addition, she is a former group marketing commercial manager at SABMiller and spent three years as an accountant and management consultant at PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

“I’m delighted to welcome Karen and the broad range of skills and experience that she brings to the leadership team,” said Macmillan chief executive Gemma Peters.

“Karen will play a leading role in future-proofing the organisation, to ensure that we’re playing to Macmillan’s strengths and providing people with cancer with the vital support they need, in the most impactful and sustainable way.”

Watson added: “On a personal note, Macmillan is an organisation that is very close to my heart. When my father was diagnosed with cancer several years ago, Macmillan gave me and my family invaluable support.”

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