Claudia Nicholls joins Cancer Research UK as new Executive Director of Marketing, Fundraising and Engagement
Hunter-Miller are delighted to have worked with the board of Cancer Research UK in appointing Claudia Nicholls to the post of Executive Director of Marketing, Fundraising and Engagement.
Read the full press release below:
Cancer Research UK today announced the appointment of Claudia Nicholls as executive director of marketing, fundraising and engagement. This hire comes as the charity continues to drive growth, innovation and engagement in support of its mission to beat cancer.
Claudia joins the charity on 2 March and brings extensive experience in marketing, customer experience, digital and data-led transformation. This expertise will be central to delivering Cancer Research UK’s ambitious plans for growth and transformation.
Most recently, Claudia served as Chief Customer Officer at Simplyhealth, where she sat on the executive committee and held end-to-end responsibility for marketing, sales, customer experience, digital, and ESG. During her tenure, she led the transformation of a legacy organisation into a profitable, high-performing customer enterprise, strengthening performance while maintaining trust and integrity.
Beginning her career in world-class marketing environments at Procter & Gamble and Yum! Brands, Claudia built deep expertise in brand strategy and stewardship, econometrics, return on investment measurement and agency effectiveness. This foundation continues to shape her evidence-led, customer champion, disciplined approach to growth and decision-making.
Claudia succeeds Phil Almond, who is retiring from full-time employment. She will step into post formally from mid-April and Phil will remain with the charity until the end of May, providing strategic counsel and continuity.
Claudia will work with the teams to strengthen the strategies that grow fundraising for life-saving research across key areas, such as legacies, social fundraising, trading and committed giving. Drawing on her experience in purpose-led, data and digital-enabled transformation, Claudia will also play a key role in advancing Cancer Research UK’s data and digital evolution. This work will improve impact, deepen engagement with millions of people and protect and grow the charity’s income for the future, ensuring it can continue life-saving cancer research to save and improve more lives.
Chief executive of Cancer Research UK, Michelle Mitchell OBE said:
“I’m delighted to welcome Claudia to Cancer Research UK. She is an exceptional leader and her proven record and experience in driving income growth and leading digital change will be critical as we continue our life-saving work and strengthen the charity for the future.
“Claudia joins us with a personal commitment to beating cancer, shaped by her own experience of the impact of the disease. That motivation, combined with her strategic capability and values‑driven leadership, make her an outstanding addition to our executive team.
“We’re in a strong position thanks to Phil’s leadership, and I look forward to working with Claudia to build on that foundation, delivering even greater impact and progress for people affected by cancer and their loved ones.”
Claudia Nicholls said:
“I’m honoured to join Cancer Research UK at such a significant time for the charity. Like so many, my life has been affected by cancer, and that experience strengthens my commitment to helping accelerate progress. Together with our supporters and partners, we have an incredible opportunity to innovate, grow income for vital research, make a lasting difference for everyone affected by cancer and inspire millions to join our mission.”