Governance

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk, the Lady Dannatt MBE

Patron

Lady Dannatt MBE has been close to Big C for a number of years, alongside a variety of other hard-working Norfolk charities with which she is involved.

As a trained professional counsellor, latterly working at the Sue Lambert Trust, she knows only too well the importance of support for vulnerable people.  

Professor Charles ffrench-Constant

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Chair of the People and Governance Committee, and member of the Grants Committee

As an active research scientist and leader since 1984, understanding and enhancing the prevention, causes and treatment of cancer are issues that have been close to my heart since a young age. A particular passion has been the training of the next generation of scientists, something of critical importance for Norfolk.

I wanted to be able to share this experience of working in and developing the sector to give back and support this fantastic organisation.

I hope I will bring detailed strategic insight into research in both the University and commercial sectors. I have an in depth understanding of how it works – the motivation, funding, dissemination, career development and translation into the clinic. With this, I hope to enable Big C to be even more effective in the branding, marketing, fundraising, grants and communications essential for promoting life-saving research in Norfolk.

Paige Gouldthorpe

Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and member of the People and Governance Committee

I became a Trustee in 2020, as the late David Moar one of the founders of the charity is a great friend and inspiration of mine.  Cancer has taken the lives of loved ones close to me and this is the chance to fight back.

I love meeting the employees and volunteers who make the charity so successful and spread the Board’s gratitude to them for all their hard work.  I love watching the charity thrive and change people lives and being part of that is such a blessing.

I bring a new perspective to the Board and a revitalised energy.  I have a legal background where I represent lots of vulnerable and terminal clients so being able to understand their experiences and trying to implement change for future generations is what I wish to achieve.  I am here to watch the charity grow and be part of its success. Long live Big C !

Helen Cordingley

Trustee

Unfortunately there are not many people who have not been affected by cancer in some way. I was and continue to be very keen to support this superb charity, which eases some of the burden for patients and their families as I know, first hand, how valuable that support is.

As a private client solicitor ‘by day’, my expertise and advice is often focused on legacy support and management, which is a crucial income stream for Big C.

I have been a Trustee since 2018, and enjoy sitting on the Board with such impressive co-Trustees and Executive Team in support of this wonderful charity.

Dr Noreen Cushen-Brewster

Trustee and Chair of the Grants Committee

I became a Trustee of Big C in 2021, as my clinical background is in cancer care and some of my relatives used the services provide by the charity whilst undergoing cancer treatment, which they found very helpful.

Therefore, I hoped by becoming a Trustee it would give me an opportunity to use my knowledge and skills to support future developments of the charity as well as raise awareness of what services it provides.

 It’s great to hear about all the work the organisation is involved in and to meet some of the staff delivering the services. It also offers individual Trustees to use their specialised knowledge and experience to support or gently challenge future developments and innovation of the Big C.  

Having worked clinically and specialising in cancer care enables me to understand the epidemiology of cancer, the challenges and complexities that staff face on a day-to-day basis delivering their services.

I have many years’ experience of developing and conducting research as well as working at Board level as an Executive Director and in Non-Executive Director roles in other organisations which I believe enhances my role as a Trustee of Big C.  

Prof. Dylan Edwards

Chair of the Board of Trustees (25 May 2022 to 26 November 2025) and member of the Grants Committee and People and Governance Committee

I’ve been Chair of the Board since 2022, and a Trustee since 2017. I enjoy helping an important charity that affects lots of us in Norfolk.

I was the Big C Chair of Cancer Studies in 1995 at UEA so I have a long history of association with Big C.

I have a long experience of cancer research, over 4 decades, so I understand many aspects. I also bring my experience with the Executive Team at UEA along with partnerships with Norwich Research Park and beyond.

Email: dylan.edwards@uea.ac.uk

Beth Gammage

Trustee and member of the Grants Committee

I joined the board in January 2024.

Cancer and improving the support, information and care that we can give to those both living with cancer, and those around them, as well as research into the prevention, causes and treatment of cancer are issues that have been close to my heart since a young age. I wanted to be able to share my experiences of working in the sector and in my field of expertise to give back and support this fantastic organisation.

I hope I will bring strategic insight into branding, marketing, fundraising and communications as well passion for the cause!

Marilyn Martin

Treasurer, Trustee and member of the People and Governance Committee

I have been a Trustee since 2015. I was coming up to retirement and I was asked by Chris if I would like to join. I am a chartered accountant and have personal cancer experience. I am a big fan of research, raising money and making research strides. I have managed my own business, my own staff so I also bring my business skills to the role.

I enjoy seeing the charity grow and adapt to changing circumstances and hopefully playing a small part in this.

Rob Mills

Trustee and member of the Grants Committee

I became a Trustee in order to help improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their families through the work carried out by this outstanding institution.

I have been a cancer surgeon for the last twenty years and over the same period I have been actively involved in research into strategies for prevention and earlier diagnosis of cancer. This work continues in collaboration with a number of partners across the Norwich Research Park and the University of East Anglia. I would hope to be able to use the experience I have gained to support Big C in achieving their strategic objectives.

Chloe Smith

Trustee and Vice Chair of the People and Governance Committee

I am thrilled to be a Trustee for Big C, our well-loved local cancer charity.  I’m excited to help the team to serve people across our region, through support, research, equipment and education.

One in two of us will experience cancer in our lifetimes – and that means most of us will see it one way or another whether for ourselves or through family and friends.  I am lucky to be fit and healthy again after breast cancer in 2020, and know how much I owe to the NHS and all those involved in treatment and support.  In gratitude, and in memory of those we love who don’t make it, it’s a privilege to give back as a trustee.

I bring fifteen years of experience in public service as a minister and Norwich MP (2009-2024).

Denise Troughton

Trustee

I have been a Big C Trustee since 2019, as I wanted to be able to put my strategic and senior leader ‘head’ on, on a part time basis on the Board.

Being a Trustee gives me the ability to use my experience, knowledge and skills to give back to an organisation I admire and have close links with.

I bring marketing and commercial experience from different B2B and B2C sectors and industries, a network of contacts and an ambassador for Big C cancer charity.