Professor Sir Mike Richards
National Cancer Director
Department of Health
Professor Richards was appointed as the first National Cancer Director in October 1999. In 2000 he led the development of the NHS Cancer Plan, the first comprehensive strategy to tackle cancer in England and was then responsible for overseeing its implementation.
More recently he has led the development of the Cancer Reform Strategy (published in December 2007) and the development of the first ever End of Life Care Strategy (published in July 2008). He works closely with ministers, parliamentarians, civil servants, clinicians, managers, patient groups, charities, researchers and industry to achieve the objectives of the plan.
Prior to his appointment to the Department of Health, Mike was a Consultant Medical Oncologist at Guy's Hospital specialising in breast cancer (1986-1995) and Sainsbury Professor of Palliative Medicine at St Thomas' Hospital (1995-1999). He was also Clinical Director of Cancer Services at Guy's and St Thomas' from 1993 to 1999.
Mike was closely involved in the establishment of the National Cancer Research Institute in 2001 and has been a board member since its foundation. Between April 2006 and March 2008 he was Chairman of the NCRI Board in addition to his role as National Cancer Director.
In June 2008 Mike was asked by Alan Johnson, then Secretary of State for Health, to lead a review of policy relating to patients who choose to pay privately for drugs that are not funded on the NHS. His recommendations were accepted and his report was published in November 2008.
Mike was appointed CBE in 2001 and was awarded a Knighthood in the 2010 New Year’s Honours.
If he ever has any spare time Mike’s hobby is hill walking, particularly in Scotland.
Prior to his appointment to the Department of Health, Mike was a Consultant Medical Oncologist at Guy's Hospital specialising in breast cancer (1986-1995) and Sainsbury Professor of Palliative Medicine at St Thomas' Hospital (1995-1999). He was also Clinical Director of Cancer Services at Guy's and St Thomas' from 1993 to 1999.
Mike was closely involved in the establishment of the National Cancer Research Institute in 2001 and has been a board member since its foundation. Between April 2006 and March 2008 he was Chairman of the NCRI Board in addition to his role as National Cancer Director.
In June 2008 Mike was asked by Alan Johnson, then Secretary of State for Health, to lead a review of policy relating to patients who choose to pay privately for drugs that are not funded on the NHS. His recommendations were accepted and his report was published in November 2008.
Mike was appointed CBE in 2001 and was awarded a Knighthood in the 2010 New Year’s Honours.
If he ever has any spare time Mike’s hobby is hill walking, particularly in Scotland.
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