Professor Alan Ashworth appointed Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research

Professor Ashworth will take up his new position at the ICR in January, succeeding Professor Peter Rigby, who was recently appointed Deputy Chairman of the Wellcome Trust. Professor Ashworth has been Director of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre at the ICR in London – the largest centre of its kind in Europe – since it opened 11 years ago.

Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: “Alan Ashworth’s 11 years in charge of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre have been astonishingly successful. The centre has become recognised as world-class and patients are beginning to benefit from the revolutionary treatments developed there. Through his work, a future of personalised cancer treatment for women with breast cancer is fast becoming a reality. Moreover, he has been an inspirational leader for scientists and supporters alike. We look forward to continuing to work with Professor Ashworth in his new role at the ICR and wish him every success.”

During Professor Ashworth’s time as Director, research at the centre has led to 10 clinical trials, testing new treatments that could benefit thousands of women with breast cancer. He has pioneered the development of a totally new kind of cancer treatment, using PARP inhibitors. The research work on these drugs has been hailed as an ‘unmatched and unparalleled’ by experts. PARP inhibitors are showing great promise for women with inherited forms of breast and ovarian cancer in clinical trials. More recent research suggests PARP inhibitors could also become a treatment for a wider group of patients, across several different types of cancer.

Working with the ICR’s Professor Anthony Swerdlow, Professor Ashworth is also joint-Principal Investigator for the Breakthrough Generations Study – the world’s most comprehensive study into the causes of breast cancer. The Study is following 100,000 women over 40 years to unravel the lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause the disease.

Professor Alan Ashworth, Director of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre at the ICR, said: “Over the past 11 years, we have managed to take the original vision of a co-ordinated comprehensive research centre fighting breast cancer and make it a reality. Even better, we have been able to rapidly translate our laboratory findings into patient benefit. Many people have contributed to our success but I want to pay particular tribute to the many Breakthrough supporters who have personally inspired me throughout my time as Director. I look forward to continuing the close relationship between Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the ICR in my new role.”

Lord Ryder, Chairman of the ICR, says: “Professor Ashworth is Professor Rigby’s natural successor. His work at the ICR has been admired and respected; he is a scientist of world renown who has shown superb leadership qualities as Director of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre. He takes over as Chief Executive with the full support and good wishes of the staff and board of the ICR.”