Former Boots chief marketing officer (CMO) Pete Markey will join Cancer Research UK as executive director of marketing, fundraising, & engagement later this year.
Replacing long-serving Philip Almond, who is leaving the charity after six years, Markey is set to join his new employer on 1 November and will officially step into the exec role on 1 December.
As well as his four and a half years at Boots, Markey held senior positions at TSB Bank and Aviva. Cancer Research UK, which operates around 600 stores selling items donated by consumers and retailers, said he “has a track record of delivering transformative impact across brand, digital and customer engagement”.
“A multi-award-winning marketer and President of ISBA [an influential group of senior marketers], Pete is deeply committed to our mission of beating cancer,” the charity added.
“He’s joining at a significant time as our marketing, fundraising and engagement teams continue to drive growth, innovation, and engagement in support of our mission. Pete will lead the strategy to grow income for life-saving research and advance our digital transformation, ensuring we can continue our vital work to save and improve lives now and in the future.”
In a LinkedIn post, Markey shared that his appointment to the role is “deeply personal”, having lost his mother, Rosemary, to cancer 25 years ago.
“I want my next chapter to be about helping to beat cancer,” he wrote.
“It’s a real privilege to be part of a charity with such a powerful mission and to be joining a group of people who are passionate and driven by the same cause. I’m looking forward to driving even greater impact and engagement, and to grow our income.”
[image credit: Green Retail World]
