Dame Cally Palmer CBE
Dame Cally Palmer has 25 years of Board experience as CEO of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, delivering a range of major initiatives including establishing one of the first Trust status hospitals in the UK, developing a unique private patient model alongside the provision of public health care and overseeing all aspects of operational management in a complex healthcare environment. Her leadership has propelled the Hospital into the top 5 cancer centres globally, in collaboration with the Institute of Cancer Research.
In addition to her substantial experience in both public and private healthcare, Dame Cally works with the Government in her longstanding role as National Cancer Director, contributing to the development and execution of national healthcare strategies. This involvement includes regular interactions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Dame Cally has spearheaded major national healthcare transformation programmes, securing significant public funding for these initiatives.
Dame Cally’s extensive leadership experience encompasses roles such as Chair of the National Cancer Board for NHS England, where she united stakeholders from healthcare, life sciences, and industry to drive innovation in healthcare delivery. In her capacity as CEO at the Royal Marsden, she collaborated with the Chair to establish a high-quality Board, consisting of C-Suite executives from finance and industry alongside senior clinical professionals. She has adeptly built expert teams to ensure exceptional performance in service delivery and financial management.
As a Board member of the Institute of Cancer Research, Dame Cally has demonstrated her expertise in navigating a discovery environment, contributing to the development of globally utilised treatments through research and industry collaboration. She played a pivotal role in shaping the UK’s latest 10 year national cancer strategy, launched by the Prime Minister, by collaborating with key stakeholders.
Dame Cally’s strategic experience extends to hospital management, where she successfully implemented workforce strategies, major capital programmes, digital infrastructure, and innovative facilities. Her establishment of a ground breaking private care business, recognised with “best private hospital” awards, serves as a model for integrated public and private healthcare in the UK.
Internationally, Dame Cally has cultivated relationships with donors, foundations, and corporations, showcased through her engagements at public events and high-profile fundraisers hosted by HRH Prince William, Prince of Wales. She holds an MSc in management from the London Business School, an honorary doctorate from Queen Mary University of London, and is a member of the Institute of Health and Social Care Management. Recognised for her outstanding contributions, she was appointed Commander of the British Empire in 2004 and Dame Commander in 2020.
