Chief Executive of Beating Bowel Cancer, Hilary Whittaker, has announced that she will be stepping down from her role at the end of June 2010, after almost a decade at the charity.

Whittaker joined Beating Bowel Cancer as Chief Executive in 2001.

During her tenure at the charity, Whittaker has worked tirelessly to save lives, improve outcomes for bowel cancer patients by promoting early diagnosis and to improve awareness of this hidden disease, which is the country’s second biggest cancer killer.

Whittaker has campaigned for many years for the introduction of national bowel cancer screening.

The subsequent introduction of screening in 2006 for 60-69 year olds was a key milestone.

The charity was also a key player in the campaign to ensure new cancer drugs are made available to NHS patients in the UK, as they are in other countries.

Under her leadership the charity has launched regular, high profile awareness campaigns and the highly successful annual BE LOUD BE CLEAR campaign, which calls upon the government to address key issues affecting bowel cancer patients.

The last ten years have established Beating Bowel Cancer as a focus for patient support and information with both the general public and health professionals.

The charity was the first to launch a nationwide Patient Voices support group and to offer companies Health in the Workplace talks, led by bowel cancer patients. Its authoritative patient support publications are featured on the NHS Information Pathway.

Hilary Whittaker said: “I feel privileged to have lead the growth and development of Beating Bowel Cancer since 2001. I have worked with an amazing team and over the last decade we really have made a difference for bowel cancer patients but it’s now time for me to move on to new challenges.”

Nicholas Woolf, chairman of trustees, said: “I speak on behalf of the board when I say that Hilary Whittaker has been a great asset to the charity. She has elevated the charity to the success that it is today.”

The role of Chief Executive will be taken up by Mark Flannagan, currently director of policy and communications at the Royal College of General Practitioners.

Flannagan will take over the role of chief executive at Beating Bowel Cancer on 5 July 2010.

Hilary Whittaker will continue to fulfil an advisory role for Beating Bowel Cancer’s Board until the New Year.

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