The Christie Charity
Press release posted 12 July 2023
Edward Astle has been appointed as the new Chair of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. Edward succeeds Chris Outram who is leaving after 9 years – the maximum term allowed under the Trust’s constitution.
Edward’s extensive executive and non-executive experience has spanned business, academia and the charity sector.
Since 2013, he has had a portfolio of non-executive roles, including Chair of the Board of The University of Manchester – a role he held for 6 years. He is currently a Non-Executive Director of Openreach, which is responsible for maintaining and upgrading the UK’s telecoms infrastructure.
He is also the Chair of award-winning social mobility charity, upReach, which helps university students from disadvantaged backgrounds obtain top graduate jobs, and a trustee of the Lakeland Arts Trust.
Edward was divisional CEO and main board director of Cable and Wireless, BICC and National Grid over a 20-year period before becoming Pro Rector, Enterprise, at Imperial College London from 2008 to 2013. Here he led a team which supported the university’s links with business, particularly for corporate research funding, and its international ventures.
Edward was born and brought up in Manchester, attended Manchester Grammar School followed by Queen’s College, Oxford and has an MBA from Insead Business School in France.
Edward said: “I am thrilled to be appointed Chair of The Christie, to have the opportunity to chair another of Manchester’s world-class institutions and to play a part in the organisation’s pivotal role in the global battle against cancer.
“Like so many families, cancer has struck mine and I have family members who have had their lives prolonged through research and innovation alongside the dedication and care of those who work in the NHS.”
Roger Spencer, Chief Executive, said: “I am looking forward to welcoming Edward to be part of The Christie. I know Edward shares our values of making a real difference to people and putting our patients at the heart of everything we do and I’m sure he will find our staff and volunteers to be as inspirational as I do.
“On behalf of the executive team and entire organisation, I would like to thank Chris Outram for all she has done for The Christie. She has been a very hands-on Chair who has steered the Trust through the most challenging times, including during the Covid pandemic, and has always had the best interests of patients, staff and volunteers at heart.”
Tarun Kapur CBE, one of our Non-Executive Directors who currently sits on the Board of Directors, has also been appointed as Senior Independent Director. Tarun will play a key role in supporting Edward as Trust Chair in leading the Board of Directors and as Chair of the Council of Governors
Tarun currently chairs the Trust’s Workforce Assurance Committee and has been a member of the Board for 7 years. He is the Chief Executive Officer and Academy Principal at The Dean Trust – a multi academy trust comprised of 10 schools located across Greater Manchester.