Our CEO and senior management team

Deborah began her career in publishing and has subsequently worked in the voluntary sector for nearly 25 years. She has worked with a broad range of organisations from academic think tanks to charities working on international human rights issues. Deborah joined as Director of Services and Strategy in June 2008, a year after losing her father to the disease, and was appointed Chief Executive a year later.

 

A determined advocate for earlier diagnosis and best treatment and care for all, Deborah represents the charity in numerous policy advisory committees relating to bowel cancer and also works with international partners on issues of shared concern. She is also increasingly involved in exciting new research collaborations. Frequently asked to give presentations and speeches about bowel cancer, Deborah is also proud to act as our lead spokesperson. 

 

She was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 90th Birthday Honours list 2016, in recognition of her service to bowel cancer patients and was named Charity Chief Executive of the Year at the Third Sector Excellence Awards 2017. 

 

Luke has twenty years’ experience of working in both the commercial and charity sectors. He joined Bowel Cancer UK in June 2012 as the Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships and joined the Senior Management Team two years later as Director of Fundraising. Luke specialises in corporate, business development and relationship fundraising. 

Simon qualified as a certified accountant in 1995 and has spent the last twenty years working in the commercial and charity sectors, the last ten exclusively in the third sector. He joined the charity in January 2015 as the Director of Finance and Resources and is also Company Secretary. 

Dr Lisa Wilde - Director of Research and External Affairs

Lisa is a research scientist by training and since leaving the lab, has spent the last 15 years leading on research management for cancer research charities. Lisa’s expertise lies in research strategy, science communications and science policy. She oversees the charities Communications, Research, and Policy & Campaigns functions.    

Christine Ansell - Director of Integration

Christine has over 30 years’ experience of working in the commercial sector. For the past 18 years she has specifically worked for both Global and UK based technical consultancy organisations in various management roles. Christine joined Bowel Cancer UK in March 2018 to assist and drive forward the integration of company systems and GDPR compliance.

Lauren Wiggins - Director of Services

Lauren is a registered nurse by background, with over 15 years’ experience in both mental health and general nursing – including 5 years as a Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist.  She moved into the charity sector in 2011 and joined Bowel Cancer UK in August 2018 as Director of Services.