Seven new Trustees called up to Blood Cancer UK squad

The Board of Trustees are a group of volunteers responsible for our strategy, and for making sure we are best meeting the needs of people affected by blood cancer.

As football fever grips the nation, we've got our own dazzling new line-up to reveal – and we couldn't resist giving it soccer spin! From entrepreneurs to researchers, here's our seven talented newest additions to the Blood Cancer UK Board of Trustees.

Amir is the co-founder and CEO of Lendurance – a purpose led, fintech business that supports SMEs in Asia by drawing on insights from Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) data. Prior to setting up Lendurance, he was a management consultant at KPMG where he advised clients on risk and governance, business change and culture, customer journeys and innovation, and responsible business. Amir is a Chartered Accountant, having started his career at PwC, and spent 7 years at Brit Insurance, where he supported the board to deliver its strategy by building effective governance and internal controls.

Claude is a successful entrepreneur and investor with 50 years’ experience. He specialises in distressed companies and has been involved in numerous corporate turnarounds throughout Europe and the States. He acquired and later floated Powerleague plc, was Chairman of ASCO plc and deputy chairman of Blacks Leisure plc.

Claude is a long time business associate of Lord Sugar, and has served as chairman of a number of his companies. Claude came to prominence as the tough interviewer on BBC 1, ‘The Apprentice’, as well as sitting alongside Karren Brady, as Lord Sugar’s ‘eyes and ears’ on the show. He also served as Chief Executive of Tottenham Hotspur plc when Lord Sugar was Chairman.

In 2014, the University of West London renamed the business school ‘The Claude Littner Business School’ in appreciation of his business success and contribution to the University. He is a Visiting Professor at the University.

Ally spent 21 years as a firefighter but in 2008 he was diagnosed with a blood cancer (Myelodysplasia) and had to retire from the job he loved in 2014. As a result of his diagnosis however, he established a partnership, between the Fire and Rescue Service and the charity Anthony Nolan, which educates young people about stem cell, blood and organ donation and recruits them onto the stem cell register. He is passionate about Patient and Public Involvement and provides input to several charities, research studies and committees. He is a Non-Executive Director of Scotland’s third largest NHS Board, NHS Lanarkshire and was awarded an MBE in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to charity.

Louise joined our Board in January 2021 and has worked in the not for profit sector for most of career. Inspired by youth volunteering and the desire to have a positive impact in her profession, she has worked both on the charity and agency side. She is Transformation Director at Manifesto, helping transform not for profit organisations; from their culture and organisational design to their technology and digital capabilities to drive sustainable change. She has a wealth of experience working across UK and International Charity programmes at a strategic level spanning a multitude of areas including strategy, fundraising, brand, innovation, advocacy and campaigning. Alongside this, she is a professional mentor and founded a global mentoring community to support women in the social good space.

Jules has more than 20 years experience in senior management roles in the charity sector and is currently chief executive of Pause, a charity working with vulnerable women. She has worked across a range of causes in health, education and young people’s services. In 2002, Jules was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma. After several cycles of treatment, remission and relapse, she had a stem cell transplant in 2007 and is now considered cured.

Christine is Professor of Childhood Cancer Cytogenetics at Newcastle University, with 40 years’ experience in genetics of leukaemia and lymphoma.

Christine is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. She has been a Researcher and Ambassador of Blood Cancer UK for the last 30 years, leading International projects towards improving therapy, particularly for children with leukaemia.

Jasmine joined the Board in January 2021. She is a full-time MSc Cancer student at University College London, having previously completed her undergraduate degree specialising in Neurobiology at the University of Cambridge. In March 2020, she co-founded CoronaUnity (now One Consulting), a non-profit organisation providing pro-bono consultancy services to third sector organisations. Jasmine was Head of Operations for the team for 6 months before taking on an advisory role.

Fraser is a chartered accountant with over 20 years of professional services experience and is a partner with PwC. He has extensive audit and assurance experience, whilst actively supporting his clients to manage risk through robust governance and control.

He is commercially astute and has a proven track record of driving ambitious transformation, whilst leading teams with integrity and a passion to develop others and make a difference.

With personal experience of the impact of blood cancer on people and their families, Fraser is motivated to help the charity achieve its long term objectives.

Hannah is an award-winning managing director with global experience in building purpose-driven businesses and teams - in 2020 she was included within Management Today’s 35 under 35.

She has 14+ years experience in growing organisations and their vision and strategy specialising in fundraising, media, social media, product strategy and design. Driving global oversight, team leadership, campaign and market direction within the political, public sector, consumer & non-profit sectors.

Her entrepreneurial attitude and approach of doing and thinking has helped transform accounts and agencies she’s worked for in London and NYC. The Blue State European team has won and retained globally recognised UN agencies on a multi-year basis under her leadership.