Executive Board

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 centres 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 Maggie’s.

_{Photographer: © Nick Edwards}

Ann-Louise Ward

Chief Operating Officer

I am responsible for the delivery and strategic development of Maggie’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 Maggie’s unique cancer care programme.

Before Maggie’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 Maggie’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 Maggie’s has grown considerably so my job is continually changing and adapting.

Maggie’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.

Caro Evans

Fundraising Director

I am responsible for fundraising at Maggie’s so we can open new centres across the UK as well as covering the running costs of our existing centres and online support.

We work with generous, committed donors as well as seeking out new supporters to help Maggie’s support everyone who needs us.

I have had a long career in fundraising, for cancer research as well as UK and international development.

I was very proud to join Maggie’s in 2024 having long admired their approach to cancer care, and more recently witnessing the positive impact they have had when a very dear friend desperately needed their support.

Along with all my colleagues at Maggie’s, I want everyone living with cancer in the UK, and their friends and family, to have access to Maggie’s high-quality support and care.

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 Maggie’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 make sure the fundraising and delivery of the centre is smooth sailing and successful.

I joined Maggie’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. I first came across Maggie’s when I was in that role and saw the charity as a real and genuine example of an organisation that puts the needs of people at the very heart of its operation.

During my time at Maggie’s I have worked with over 30 NHS Trusts and have worked with teams across the charity to open 26 centres. I want to make sure that every major NHS cancer centre within the UK, and beyond has a Maggie’s.

David Henderson

Marketing and Communications Director

My role is focused on raising awareness and the profile of Maggie’s so that everyone who needs Maggie’s knows where we are and how we can support them. I oversee Communications, Insight, Digital, and Brand and Marketing Strategy, working closely with centres and colleagues across the UK.

I joined Maggie’s in 2022, inspired by the ambition to grow and support more people than ever before. I’ve spent most of my career working within marketing and communications and I’m passionate about supporting organisations that want to improve the outcomes and experiences of people living with cancer.

I’m proud to be part of the ambitious team and determined to ensure Maggie’s is there for everyone that needs us.

Alaina Macdonald

PR and Public Affairs Director

I oversee PR and Public Affairs at Maggie’s, leading a strong team who work closely with the media and key influencers to raise awareness of how we support people with cancer.

I joined Maggie's in 2024, bringing a wealth of experience from NHS England, where I was Deputy Director for Strategic Communications. I've led on communications to support the Covid-19 pandemic and the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine – as well as leading on a stakeholder engagement work to support the NHS Long Term plan.

Before working for the NHS, I was a special advisor under the last Labour Government and have worked in TV, including as the political producer for BBC Newsnight and spent some time working in communications at Nato, Brussels.

I am delighted to part of this aspirational organisation and to support the delivery of our ambitous plan – to be there for everyone with cancer in the UK, at all 60 cancer centre sites.