Bristol based cancer charity Penny Brohn UK has appointed Julie Worrall as their next CEO.  Julie is currently the Director of Fundraising and Development at Above and Beyond, the official charity for the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Trust.  Julie will take up her new post in October 2020.  

Stephen Rosser, Chair of Trustees at Penny Brohn UK said: “Julie’s appointment will place Penny Brohn UK in excellent hands for the future.  Julie is a strong strategic leader with expertise in driving change.  

“Julie has over 15 years in the charity health sector, seven of these in formal leadership roles and has served on boards for national and local charities. Julie has a wealth of experience in programme development, income generation and developing strategic partnerships including working alongside the NHS.  

“We believe Julie’s appointment has the potential to be transformational as she leads Penny Brohn UK through a period of change in order to survive the impact of the coronavirus pandemic to continue to help people live well with cancer.   

“Penny Brohn’s pioneering whole life approach to cancer has been helping people thrive for forty years. Our approach is proven to make a real difference to someone’s quality of life by helping them to care for their mind, body, spirit and emotions.  At this time of great uncertainty for all, our support is needed more than ever. With so many cancer patients impacted and cancer services under pressure now is the time for the charity to pioneer again, to reach everyone whose lives are being doubly impacted by the pandemic.  

“We are confident that under Julie’s leadership we will find ground-breaking ways to reach more people with cancer - in their home, in their community and in hospital.  People need help now. They cannot wait. By harnessing opportunities in digital technology and health we will extend our services to provide support that reaches far beyond geographical borders.”  

Julie Worrall, newly-appointed CEO at Penny Brohn UK said: “I am delighted to be the next CEO of Penny Brohn UK.  People need more than medicine to cope with all the ways that cancer impacts their life. I believe that everyone affected by cancer should be able to access Penny Brohn’s whole life approach.  My own personal experience of cancer, and of working in the health sector, give me a unique perspective and a passion to take this organisation forward.  

“Fifteen years ago, at the age of 24, I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the ovary.  This particular type of cancer was so rare that only 15 people in the UK are diagnosed with it a year. It was a huge shock to us all. However, I was lucky. I received incredible treatment, care and compassion which I will forever be grateful for. It was a devastating experience physically and emotionally that continues to impact me to this day, however it also gave rise to so much good.   

“Since then, I have dedicated my career to using my professional skills to ‘giving back’. Since my illness I have fulfilled roles at Marie Curie Cancer Care, CLIC Sargent (Young Lives vs. Cancer) and now Above & Beyond, working with the very hospitals that treated me. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to take my journey full circle and remain driven to turn my experiences into a force for good.  

“I am determined that Penny Brohn will get through this difficult time and emerge stronger.  I look forward very much to working with the brilliant staff team and to leading Penny Brohn UK into an exciting new phase of development and to be able to make broader and deeper sustained impact for the people we exist to support.”