Recently awarded a richly deserved MBE for his service to charity and the community in Northern Ireland, Ivan will not only bring business acumen to his role, but also a lot of heart. Having survived life-threatening pancreatic cancer, Ivan brings personal experience of living with a cancer diagnosis and also an impressive fundraising track record having personally raised over £500,000 for cancer charities and other deserving causes.
Ivan said: “I have been fundraising for cancer charities since the age of eight. I lost my Dad to cancer when I was seven years old, my brother had his own battle with cancer and then I received my diagnosis in 2011. So yes, cancer has affected my life multiple times. But in a strange kind of way having cancer has been a privilege – it’s helped me to connect with people and get into their lives in a way that I didn’t think possible. It’s been an incredible journey and has motivated me to do as much as I can to help others in a similar situation.”
Paying tribute to his predecessor Professor Spence, who retired recently, he said: “I am delighted to be stepping into the new role of Chairman for Cancer Focus NI and know I have big shoes to fill.
“I look forward to building on the charity’s firm foundations with the CEO Richard Spratt and the staff team in tackling cancer in Northern Ireland and supporting local people living with and affected by cancer.”
Ivan offers extensive experience in business and finance having worked at Danske Bank, formally the Northern Bank, for more than 35 years.
Ivan received a pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2011 and nine months after having his chemotherapy treatment, he completed the London Marathon, and again in 2014. Together both marathons raised some £202,000 for cancer charities and other causes.
Advertisement
