OVARIAN CANCER ACTION APPOINTS CLAIRE GILLIS, GLOBAL HEALTH LEADER, AS NEW CHAIR

Claire Gillis is appointed as new Chair of Ovarian Cancer Action
Ovarian Cancer Action, the UK’s leading ovarian cancer research charity, has appointed Claire Gillis, Global CEO of VML Health, as its new Chair of the Board.
With only 1 in 3 women in the UK surviving 10 years beyond an ovarian cancer diagnosis, Ovarian Cancer Action is focused on driving research into early detection and new treatments. 7,500 women are diagnosed with the disease each year in the UK.
Gillis, a pharmacologist, health economist, and award-winning business leader, brings extensive experience and a deep commitment to health equity to this role. Her ability to bridge science and communications, coupled with her successful track record as a health entrepreneur, makes her uniquely suited to lead Ovarian Cancer Action. Gillis’s leadership has been widely recognized: including awards in Management Today, The Women in Marketing, and on the HERoes women role models list. She also holds an MSc from Oxford University in Experimental and Translational Therapeutics. Gillis succeeds Dr. Wayne Phillips, who served with distinction for nine years on the Board, including five years as Chair.
“We are thrilled to welcome Claire Gillis as Chair,” says Cary Wakefield, CEO of Ovarian Cancer Action. “Her expertise in healthcare communications, unwavering commitment to equity, and proven ability to drive meaningful change are perfectly aligned with our strategic priorities. Claire’s leadership will be invaluable as we work to elevate our research efforts, improve outcomes for women with ovarian cancer, and ultimately, increase the 10-year survival rate.”
“I am honoured to join Ovarian Cancer Action at this pivotal moment,” said Gillis. “The progress made in ovarian cancer research is remarkable, but there is still much to be done. We will be bold and ambitious in our approach, we will push the boundaries of our work, and we will challenge conventional thinking. I look forward to working alongside this dedicated team to drive transformative change for women affected by this disease.”
Dr. Wayne Phillips, outgoing Chair, added, “I am incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made in ovarian cancer research over the past decade. I am delighted to pass the baton to Claire, whose exceptional track record will undoubtedly propel the charity forward in its critical mission.”