Hope Against Cancer Welcomes Paul Desborough as New Chief Executive
Hope Against Cancer, the dedicated cancer research charity serving Leicestershire and Rutland, has announced the appointment of Paul Desborough PG Dip CMgr FCMI as its new chief executive. Paul joins the organisation to spearhead the next phase of its development and assist the team and trustees in implementing a bold new 10-year strategic vision.
Extensive Leadership Background
Paul Desborough brings over 35 years of leadership expertise spanning the military, public, and private sectors. As a fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, he possesses a demonstrated history of transforming complex organisations and driving operational excellence.
Upon his appointment, Paul reflected that his career has been characterised by leadership and service. He retired from the military with the rank of Major, having played crucial roles in policy development, doctrine formulation, and personnel career management, while also commanding an Army Reserve Regiment.
Transition to Civilian Leadership Roles
Following his military service, Paul embarked on a distinguished civilian career that included serving as director of human resources and chief of operations for a global manufacturing corporation. He also held the position of director of human resources within the construction industry and served as deputy chief executive for an Arms-Length Public Body within the Ministry of Defence.
Strategic Vision for Hope Against Cancer
In introducing himself to the charity community, Paul stated: "At Hope Against Cancer, I hope to leverage my extensive experience in strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and change management to build on the charity's firm foundations. My immediate priority is ensuring the charity is operationally robust and strategically aligned to deliver world-class research outcomes for Leicestershire and Rutland."
He continued: "I am profoundly honoured to lead Hope Against Cancer. My career has been dedicated to creating environments where people feel valued and valuable, and I intend to bring that same energy to this vital cause. Our goal is bold: to establish a Centre of Excellence that ensures Leicestershire and Rutland and ultimately the East Midlands remains at the absolute forefront of life-saving cancer research. We aren't just funding projects; we are building a legacy of hope."
Trustee Support and Transition
James Greenlees, Hope Against Cancer's chair of trustees, expressed enthusiasm about the new appointment: "We are delighted to welcome Paul to Hope Against Cancer. The Trustees and I are all extremely excited about what lies ahead for HOPE, and our new and optimistic strategy will undoubtedly be delivered with the help of Paul and the rest of the HOPE team."
Greenlees added: "I would also like to pay a special tribute to Nigel Rose who has led the charity so ably for the last 10 years and wish him well in the next part of his journey."
With Paul Desborough's substantial experience and proven leadership capabilities, this marks an exciting period for Hope Against Cancer. The charity plans to expand its established funding initiatives and enhance infrastructure, equipment, and world-class cancer research and care to benefit residents across the region and beyond.
