Chief Executive Gemma Peters announces her departure

Gemma joined Blood Cancer UK in September 2017, and has had led the charity through some big changes including its response to the Covid pandemic, and a large increase in the number of people affected by blood cancer who use our services.

Gemma will be joining Macmillan Cancer Support as its chief executive – her final day at Blood Cancer UK is expected to be around the end of the year. A new chief executive is not expected to be in post by the time she leaves, and so Helen Rowntree, our Director of Research, Services & Engagement, will become interim chief executive until the role is filled.

Gemma said:

“I feel incredibly lucky to have had the chance to spend the last five years as part of this extraordinary organisation. I have been challenged in ways I never expected, learned a huge amount, and most importantly absolutely loved being part of the blood cancer community.

“It is this group of people that both makes me feel sad to be leaving, but also gives me huge confidence about the charity’s future. They are the ones who have put this charity on an exciting upward trajectory that I know will continue long after I leave. I am so pleased that my new role means I will continue to work closely with both Blood Cancer UK and with people affected by blood cancer.”

John Ormerod, Chair of Blood Cancer UK, said:

“On behalf of the whole blood cancer community, I want to say how grateful we all are for Gemma’s contribution to our mission over the last few years. She has brought to the job a combination of determination, compassion, and a relentless focus on what is in the best interests of people affected by blood cancer. As well as a great leader, she has been a brilliant colleague and we will miss her.

“But Gemma’s greatest achievement at Blood Cancer UK lies in the role she played in helping build the strong team and culture that are now among our greatest assets. It is these two things that mean we go forward confident that over the next few years we will have an even greater positive impact for people with blood cancer, and move even more quickly towards the day when blood cancer is finally beaten.”