Genevieve Edwards has today been named as the new chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK.
Edwards, who stepped down last week as executive director of external affairs at the MS Society, will take up the new role early next month.
She will replace Deborah Alsina, who left the charity in August after 10 years in charge to become chief executive of the older people’s charity Independent Age.
Patrick Figgis, chair of the charity, has been acting as interim chief executive since Alsina departed.
Before joining the MS Society, Edwards was UK director of policy, partnerships and communications at Marie Stopes International and held director level roles at the Terrence Higgins Trust over a period of nearly 12 years.
She is also a former trustee of the Neurological Alliance.
Edwards said she was “thrilled and privileged to have this opportunity to lead Bowel Cancer UK into its next chapter”.
She said: “The charity’s vision is a future in which nobody dies of bowel cancer. I’m so looking forward to working with Bowel Cancer UK’s talented and passionate staff, supporters and everyone affected by the disease to achieve that bold ambition.”
According to its latest published accounts, Bowel Cancer UK generated income of £4.4m in the financial year ending 31 December 2018.
The charity was formed two years ago by the merger of Beating Bowel Cancer and Bowel Cancer UK.
Figgis said: “Genevieve brings with her a wealth of experience and joins at a very exciting time as we embark on the delivery of our new five-year strategy.
“Despite fewer people dying from bowel cancer over the last 25 to 30 years, the disease remains the UK’s second-biggest cancer killer, claiming about 16,000 lives every year.”
A spokeswoman for Bowel Cancer UK said Edwards would be paid between £90,000 and £100,000 a year. The charity’s accounts for 2018 show that Alsina was on between £80,000 and £90,000 a year.