Professor Paul Workman, a pioneer of new targeted treatments for cancer, will be taking over as Interim Chief Executive at The Institute of Cancer Research, London.
Professor Workman, who is currently Deputy Chief Executive of the ICR, will take on the role from 1 July, with responsibility for driving forward the organisation’s world-class programme of research and education.
He has been appointed to the position for a period of up to a year, to give the ICR's Board of Trustees the time they need to appoint the strongest possible candidate to the position on a permanent basis.
Professor Alan Ashworth, the ICR's current Chief Executive, has agreed with the Board that he will step down from the role on 30 June, before starting a prestigious appointment at the University of California, San Francisco next January.
Professor Workman is an exceptionally experienced research leader, having achieved a high level of success in academia, biotech companies and the pharmaceutical industry.
He has an outstanding track record in the discovery and molecular pharmacology of new cancer drugs, and is a passionate advocate of personalised, precision treatment for cancer. Under his leadership, the ICR has since 2005 identified 17 preclinical drug development candidates, taken seven new cancer drugs into clinical trials, and seen the approval of abiraterone for late-stage prostate cancer.
His appointment for an anticipated 12 months will ensure the ICR has the outstanding leadership it needs to make decisions in the short, medium and long term, and provides the ideal bridge to the appointment of a permanent Chief Executive.
Professor Workman said: "I am delighted that I can serve as the ICR’s Interim Chief Executive as the organisation looks to drive forward its world-leading cancer research while adapting to a change in leadership.
"I am very pleased to have received strong support from the Board of Trustees to take the decisions needed to keep the ICR at the forefront of cancer research, and to ensure that we strengthen our push to turn new discoveries into patient benefit.
"I will be working hard to enhance our internal research strengths while also building strong and mutually beneficial relationships with our key partner organisations."
Professor Workman will remain as Interim Chief Executive for a period of a year, or until a new permanent Chief Executive is appointed.
Professor Ashworth will remain as a Professor at the ICR until the end of the year.
He will become Director of the UCSF Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center in January next year, and will continue to collaborate with the ICR through a visiting professorship appointment.
The ICR's appointment of Professor Workman as Interim Chief Executive aims to provide stability in leadership and strategy, the capability to take the decisions needed to take the organisation forward, and an ordered process for appointing a new Chief Executive on a permanent basis.