Breast Cancer Now has made 45 redundancies and will close its Edinburgh office after income dropped by an estimated £16m this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The charity, which employs 300 staff and funds a third of all breast cancer research in the UK, said it had no choice but to look at changes to the way the organisation operated because of an estimated 34 per cent drop in income to £30m this year.
BCN said in June that it had begun a consultation with staff over the possible loss of 60 jobs and the charity confirmed today that 45 people had been made redundant after the conclusion of the consultation process
The charity will close its Edinburgh office, but offices in London, Sheffield, Cardiff and Glasgow will remain open. The details and timings of the Edinburgh closure are yet to be finalised.
In addition, it will make changes to its senior leadership team and directorate structure.
The charity will continue to be led by Baroness Delyth Morgan, alongside three directors who will head up three new directorates that span all areas of the charity’s work.
Fundraising, communications and engagement will be led by Rachael Franklin, research, support and influencing will be headed by Simon Vincent, and Chay Champness will take on corporate services.
Furthermore, since the start of this month, Emma Pennery has begun a new non-executive ambassador role as clinical director.
She will focus on engaging with the health professional community, representing the charity on expert committees and government bodies, and acting as a charity spokesperson to the media and key stakeholders.
Morgan said that despite what had been an incredibly tough period of change and uncertainty for staff, the charity remained committed to providing support for today and hope for the future for anyone affected by breast cancer.
“We know we are not alone in the sector in needing to make significant changes to the way we work as we navigate the continuing uncertainty the pandemic brings,” she said.
“However, despite the changes and uncertain future for the sector and wider world, one certainty for us remains. We know that people affected by breast cancer need us now more than ever before, and so our commitment to our vision remains.”