Geraint Lewis
Geraint is a public health physician with a focus on data and technology, who is currently serving as the Director of Population Health at Microsoft for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Four esteemed new trustees bolster our board
We are delighted to announce that four new trustees have joined our Board of Trustees.
We are delighted to announce that four new trustees have joined our Board of Trustees. This comes as we embark on a momentous year for the charity, taking on the role of Charity of the Year for the TCS London Marathon, and continuing to drive forward our bold five-year strategy to double survival for the deadliest common cancer by 2028.
Nick Lemoine, Geraint Lewis, Rachel Backshall and Pete Wilson have been recruited to support our ambition to find the breakthroughs which will provide hope – and save lives.
Our new trustees each add decades of professional experience across the charity, healthcare and commercial sectors, bringing hugely valuable skills combined with a passion for driving positive change.
Our Chair of Trustees, Eleanor Phillips, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Geraint, Nick, Pete and Rachel to our Board of Trustees. This will be an historic year for Pancreatic Cancer UK as charity partner for the TCS London Marathon, and we look forward to utilising the wealth of experience and knowledge our new trustees bring, to maximise this opportunity and deliver more impact than ever before.”
You can find out more about Geraint, Nick, Pete and Rachel below.
His previous roles include Chief Data Officer at NHS England, and Senior Director of Outcomes and Analytics at Walgreens. A fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London, Geraint’s academic interests include predictive risk modelling and preventive health. Geraint’s experience in technology, healthcare strategy, and public health will all help support Pancreatic Cancer UK to achieve its mission.
Geraint recently lost a close colleague to pancreatic cancer, which has deepened his commitment to the cause.
Geraint said: “The loss of my colleague underlined for me the urgent need for better detection, treatment options, and support for those affected by pancreatic cancer. I am honoured to join Pancreatic Cancer UK as a Trustee.”
Nick Lemoine
Nick is a world-renowned clinician scientist who worked in pancreatic cancer research for more than thirty years, focused on understanding the molecular genetics of the disease and developing novel biological therapies.
He is currently Professor of Molecular Oncology at Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, and also National Director of Strategic Development in the NIHR Research Delivery Network.
He has served as Chair of Trustee Boards for the Medical Research Foundation, Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases, and the Africa Research Excellence Fund, as well as chairing scientific advisory boards and funding committees for several charities including Pancreatic Cancer UK.
Nick said: “I am immensely grateful to Pancreatic Cancer UK for supporting research across the country into early detection and transforming treatment for this dreadful disease over many years. I am very proud now to serve as a Trustee and help guide strategy to achieve the Charity’s exciting and ambitious aims for the future.”
Pete Wilson
Pete has worked in private equity for approximately 20 years, partnering with management teams to support their businesses to grow.
He has significant board experience as a non-executive board member of companies across a range of sectors, including healthcare, B2B services, manufacturing, travel, and retail.
Prior to this, he worked in strategy consulting, with a particular focus on media and telecommunications companies, including BT and the BBC.
Pete said: “Having lost my Dad to pancreatic cancer, I have first-hand experience of the brutality of this disease and am determined to support PCUK in improving outcomes for others impacted by it.”
Rachel Backshall
“My career and experience in sales and marketing spans around 40 years starting with 15 years in the retail sector and after the achievement of an MBA I moved to work with BT for around 6 years. I then made a conscious decision to move to the not-for-profit sector and use my skills to generate much-needed income for charitable causes.”
“With now over 20 years of charitable fundraising experience with organisations such as Marie Curie, Parkinson’s UK and currently working as Director of Fundraising and Communications for Whizz Kidz, I am keen to support the work of another organisation from a trustee perspective. I am keen to bring my expertise and passion for driving positive change within Pancreatic Cancer UK, helping to guide and support the organisation to achieve its mission. I have always been drawn to medical charities and when I joined Marie Curie Cancer Care it was my first step into the unknown world of cancer. I can now look back and say it was a step I am glad I took as it opened my eyes to the needs of those with the condition and the need to find treatments and a cure to give hope to all.
“My personal brush with Pancreatic cancer came a couple of years ago when they found 2 cysts on my pancreas – thankfully these are currently not giving me any issues.”