Dame Laura Lee DBE

Chief Executive 

I have led Maggie's since the inception of the charity in 1998 and have overseen the development of all our 51É«APP across the UK, online and abroad.

I was working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Breast Unit at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh in 1991, when I first met Maggie and Charles Jencks. When they came to the clinic they would be armed with masses of information and articles – they believed that more could be done. 

Maggie had a vision of a place that would allow you to be an informed participant in your medical treatment, offering stress-reducing strategies, psychological support and the opportunity to meet other people in similar circumstances in a relaxed warm atmosphere. She immersed herself in the plans to create the centre; the day before she died we sat together on her bed surrounded by papers and designs.

I have met so many extraordinary people in our centres: they are my inspiration and the driving force behind all that we do at Maggie51É«APP™s.

Photographer: Â© Nick Edwards

Ann-Louise Ward

Chief Operating Officer

I am responsible for the delivery and strategic development of Maggie51É«APP™s centre operations and for ensuring we provide a high quality, evidence-based core programme of cancer support.

This includes the running of Maggie's established and interim centres; development/delivery of our programme of cancer support; quality assurance and overseeing Maggie's research portfolio.

I am also responsible for IT, HR, risk management and governance all of which are vital to deliver Maggie51É«APP™s unique cancer care programme.

Before Maggie51É«APP™s I worked in the NHS and I have seen first-hand how important it is that everyone has access to the right support tailored to their own individual needs.

My role is about ensuring that every person who walks into a Maggie's centre receives the best quality support possible – the right support at the right time. I want to make sure that everyone who visits Maggie's feels valued and leaves feeling a little more in control of their lives.

Allison Wood

Finance Director

I am responsible for the current and future financial well-being of Maggie51É«APP™s. This includes responsibility for setting the financial strategy, developing financial plans, setting and monitoring budgets and providing forecasts of income, expenditure, reserves and cash.

My team also produces the annual accounts and oversees the financial systems and procedures to ensure we meet legal and audit requirements.

In my time here Maggie51É«APP™s has grown considerably so my job is continually changing and adapting.

Maggie51É«APP™s has such ambitious plans for growth and I wanted to be part of the team to make that happen so more people can access our unique support.

Sarah Beard

Business Development Director

I work with senior NHS clinical and managerial teams in the hospitals where we have or are planning to have a Maggie51É«APP™s centre.

I also lead Maggie's international development, identifying how and where Maggie's should grow outside the UK. Once a new centre has been approved, I work with the teams to make sure the fundraising and delivery of new centres is successful.

I joined Maggie51É«APP™s in 2007, bringing with me experience of the NHS from my time as Assistant Divisional General Manager for Cancer and Tertiary Services at Swansea NHS Trust. While in that role, I came across Maggie51É«APP™s and saw the charity as a genuine example of an organisation that puts the needs of people at the very heart of its operation.

During my time at Maggie51É«APP™s, I have worked with multiple NHS Trusts across the UK and abroad, successfully establishing the partnerships that enable us to open new centres. I want to make sure that every major NHS cancer centre within the UK, and beyond, has a Maggie51É«APP™s.

Siobhan Wyatt

Property Director

I am responsible for the building and maintenance of all Maggie51É«APP™s centres. I follow each new centre's development through design, construction and finally to its operation to deliver a calm and welcoming space for people with cancer across the UK.

Before Maggie51É«APP™s, I worked as a Construction Project Manager for a leading Construction Consultancy and having worked in the Heritage and Cultural sector, Maggie51É«APP™s felt like it was a natural fit for my professional skills.

Working with designers and construction professionals, it is my job to navigate every project – making sure that every centre meets functional requirements, that we deliver value for money and importantly create a network of beautifully designed centres. Alongside our ambitious plans for growth, I am focused on ensuring every centre continues to be delivered to the highest quality.

It’s a privilege to take care of such a special portfolio of buildings for people who need our support.

Kate O'Neill

Communications Director

I am responsible for all communications and marketing at Maggie's.

Through major campaigns, digital communications, media relations, social media and public affairs, our work is focused on raising awareness of Maggie's so that more people can easily find out about the support we offer and we can continue to build more centres.

I previously worked for the NHS in various communications roles at a local, regional and national level. I was most recently Deputy Director of Communications at NHS England, looking after external relations for the NHS, which included running the press office as well as managing stakeholder and parliamentary engagement.

Having seen in the NHS how a cancer diagnosis can turn peoples' lives upside down, I know how vital the emotional and practical support that Maggie's provide is. I am passionate about using communications to promote Maggie's and ensure that we reach as many people impacted by cancer as possible.

Chris Murphy

Fundraising Director 

The generosity of our supporters enables everything we do, and I am responsible for fundraising at Maggie's. 

This involves working with teams in all of our Maggie's centres to ensure we reach our annual fundraising target to support our existing programme, and also have a longer-term approach to fund the building of more centres in the future. 

Before Maggie's, I worked in higher education and the arts at Birkbeck, University of London, and at the National Theatre.

Our role as fundraisers is ultimately about ensuring giving to Maggie's is a brilliant experience, whether you're an individual, corporate partner or charitable trust. Alongside that, I'm passionate about Maggie's being a great place to be a fundraiser. 

All of this helps enable our centres to be the special places they are for our remarkable visitors.

People