Our Governance

Jan founded Cancer United in 2012 following her own cancer diagnosis and has grown the organization into a pioneer and leader in cancer-specific exercise for prehabilitation and rehabilitation. Her British Empire Medal, awarded in the New Year’s Honours List 2024, recognizes her outstanding contribution, tireless efforts, and unwavering commitment to enhancing cancer care, support, and advocacy in West Sussex. She was also honoured in 2022 as a Platinum Champion by then Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall (now Queen Camilla) for her exceptional volunteer work during Her Late Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Jan provides strategic vision and ensures Cancer United maintains the highest standards of charitable governance.

David is a regulatory consultant with extensive experience from Local Authority and Central Government partnership working. As a former Senior Regulatory Delivery Official within BEIS (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy), he specialized in open policy making through stakeholder engagement. A qualified trading standards officer with over 15 years of frontline work across UK local authorities and policy-making in central government, David oversees Cancer United’s regulatory compliance, ensuring we meet all legal and governance requirements. His expertise in navigating complex regulatory landscapes safeguards our operations and maintains the trust placed in us by supporters and beneficiaries.

Kate brings extensive production expertise from her work on acclaimed television programmes including Holby City, Hollyoaks, and The Good Karma Hospital. Her BAFTA nomination and creative communications expertise help Cancer United share our impact stories effectively and reach wider audiences with our vital message through compelling storytelling and media insight.

Sarah is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and a Senior Audit Manager at Chariot House, a specialist accountancy firm representing over 150 charities and not-for-profit organizations. With expertise in charity audit and accounts work, Sarah provides essential financial oversight and ensures transparency and accountability in our financial management and reporting. Chariot House is recognized as one of the top 40 UK charity audit firms, bringing rigorous financial governance to Cancer United.

Gesine contributes rigorous scientific perspective to our work, ensuring our programmes remain evidence-based and aligned with current cancer care research. Her scientific expertise helps Cancer United maintain the highest standards of evaluation measuring both the impact and outcomes of our work.

Erica is a Fellow of both the Higher Education Academy and the Institute of Food Science & Technology, bringing international standards expertise and quality assurance knowledge to the Board. Her background in developing and implementing robust quality frameworks supports Cancer United’s development of professional training and delivery systems that meet the highest standards of excellence.

Maria is a qualified Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA) instructor, providing frontline practical expertise in exercise delivery. The STA is an international charity and national governing body for swimming and lifesaving with a mission to preserve human life through teaching swimming and survival techniques. Maria ensures our programs remain accessible, safe, and effective for people affected by cancer, bringing real-world understanding of delivering specialist exercise to diverse participants.